Albacete 1-2 Barcelona Player Ratings: Catalans Edge Past Albacete in Thrilling Copa del Rey Clash

Barcelona sealed their berth in the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a narrow win over Albacete in a gripping quarter-final at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte. In this article, we'll discuss Albacete vs Barcelona player ratings from the match.

The Copa del Rey quarter-final was far more competitive than many had expected. Albacete matched Barcelona’s intensity and made things difficult for the visitors from the opening minutes.

Barcelona took the lead just before half-time through Lamine Yamal, who produced a moment of quality to break the deadlock. In the second half, Ronald Araújo appeared to put the game beyond doubt with a powerful header.

Albacete, however, refused to give in. Their persistence was rewarded late on when Javi Moreno found the net, raising hopes of a dramatic comeback and putting Barcelona under real pressure in the closing stages.

The final moments were tense and dramatic. A late Barcelona goal by Ferran Torres was ruled out after a VAR review, adding to the nerves until the final whistle.

Key Takeaways

Lamine Yamal opened the scoring just before half-time with a spectacular finish for Barcelona.

Ronald Araújo doubled the lead in the second half with a powerful header.

Javi Moreno scored late for Albacete, setting up a tense finish after a disallowed Barcelona goal.

FC Barcelona Player Ratings vs Albacete

Check out Barcelona player ratings from the Copa del Rey match against Albacete:

Goalkeeper

Joan García - 6.5: A relatively quiet night for the keeper. He made a key save in the first half from an Antonio Puertas shot. Couldn't do much about the header he conceded late in the game. Looked composed enough when called upon, but wasn't truly tested for long periods. A standard performance.

Defenders

João Cancelo - 6.5: An all-action, if somewhat reckless, first half. He was a constant source of fouls, picking up a yellow card for his troubles. We noticed his aggression, which was a double-edged sword. He was subbed at half-time, likely to avoid a second booking. A mixed bag of a performance.

Ronald Araujo - 8.5: Our man of the match. A colossal performance from the captain. He was a rock at the back, making six crucial clearances. He rose highest to power in a header for Barcelona's second goal. His leadership and defensive prowess were on full display before he was substituted to a deserved rest.

Gerard Martín - 7.0: A solid and reliable display at the back. He contributed to the attack, creating two chances for his teammates. It was his cross that led to Ferran Torres's disallowed goal. Defensively sound and offered a good outlet on the left. A professional outing.

Eric García - 7.5: So composed on the ball, it was impressive. He boasted a 98% pass accuracy and was vital in building from the back. Made a staggering eight clearances and was positionally astute throughout. A very intelligent and calm performance under pressure.

Midfielders

Lamine Yamal - 8.5: What a talent. The youngster was a constant menace. He opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. He created an incredible five chances and completed five dribbles. Every time he got the ball, you felt something was about to happen. A simply electric performance.

Marcus Rashford - 7.0: A decent contribution from the Englishman. He provided a perfect cross for Araujo's goal. He also created another big chance, though he missed one himself. His pace was a problem for the opposition before he was subbed off.

Dani Olmo - 6.0: A frustrating evening for him. He was very busy, taking six shots, but his finishing was off. He missed two big chances that he'd normally bury. From our perspective, he tried to force things a little too much. Disappointing output for a player of his quality.

Frenkie de Jong - 8.0: The maestro in midfield. He orchestrated the play with an almost flawless 96% pass completion rate. He even bagged an assist and was a calming influence throughout the game. Recovered the ball five times, showcasing his defensive work rate too. Pure class.

Marc Bernal - 6.5: A steady, if unspectacular, performance from the young midfielder. He kept possession well, with 97% pass accuracy. However, he didn't impose himself on the game in the final third. It was a solid learning experience for him against a tenacious side.

Forwards

Robert Lewandowski - 6.0: It just wasn't his day. He was starved of service and managed only 14 touches in his 66 minutes. He had one clear chance that he failed to convert. From our viewpoint, he looked isolated and frustrated. A surprisingly quiet night for the prolific striker.

Substitutes

Pau Cubarsí - 6.5: Came on at halftime and looked assured. Didn't have much to do but played his part in maintaining control.

Ferran Torres - 6.5: Very lively after coming on. He had a goal cruelly disallowed by VAR. He also missed a couple of chances but his movement was a problem.

Fermín López - 6.5: Brought energy to the midfield and set up a great chance for Dani Olmo. Looked sharp.

Marc Casadó - 6.0: A bit overeager, committing a few fouls after his introduction. Helped break up play but looked a little rash.

Jules Koundé - N/A: Came on late to help see out the game.

Manager

H. Flick - 7.0: He got the job done, which is the main thing in a cup tie. His team controlled large parts of the game but also showed vulnerability. His substitutions were logical, aimed at resting key players and managing the game. A win is a win, but the performance wasn't entirely convincing.

Albacete Player Ratings vs FC Barcelona

Here are Albacete player ratings from the dramatic Copa del Rey fixture:

Goalkeeper

Raúl Lizoain - 7.0: He can be proud of his performance. He made four saves, with three of them coming from inside the box. He kept his side in with a fighting chance for as long as possible. Couldn't be faulted for either of the goals he conceded. A solid display between the sticks.

Defenders

Lorenzo Aguado - 5.5: A really tough night for the defender. His costly error led to a goal, which is a moment he will want to forget. He struggled in possession and was often on the back foot. It was a difficult learning curve against top-tier opposition.

Javi Moreno - 7.5: A warrior's performance. He was immense at the back, making six clearances and blocking a shot. He then popped up with a fantastic header to give his team a lifeline. A goal and a resolute defensive display make him one of Albacete's top performers.

Javi Villar - 6.5: Put his body on the line for the team. He made three crucial blocked shots and won most of his duels. A real battling performance in the heart of the defence. He fought for every ball and made it difficult for Barcelona's attackers.

Carlos Neva - 6.5: His game was unfortunately cut short by an injury just after the half-hour mark. In the time he was on the pitch, he looked solid and composed. A real shame his night ended prematurely.

Daniel Bernabéu Garcia - 6.0: Had a difficult time dealing with Barcelona's wide players. He picked up a yellow card and was a bit too aggressive in the tackle at times. He worked hard but was ultimately substituted after an hour.

Midfielders

Antonio Pacheco - 6.0: He ran his socks off but struggled to make a real impact on the game. He lost the ball a few times in dangerous areas. What stood out was his effort, but the quality wasn't always there.

Ale Meléndez - 6.0: A quiet game for the midfielder. He was tidy enough but was largely bypassed by Barcelona's midfield. Made a couple of interceptions but couldn't influence the proceedings before being taken off.

Capi - 6.0: Much like his midfield partners, he put in a great shift without much to show for it. He worked tirelessly to close down space. However, he struggled to get on the ball and dictate play.

Forwards

Agus Medina - 8.0: Albacete's best player on the park, without a doubt. He was absolutely everywhere. He won an incredible 10 duels and drew four fouls, constantly disrupting Barcelona's rhythm. A phenomenal, all-action display of grit and quality that deserved more.

Antonio Puertas - 6.5: He was a willing runner and had a few attempts on goal. One of his shots forced a good save from the keeper. He was a nuisance for the defenders but lacked that final bit of clinical edge.

Substitutes

Jesús Vallejo - 6.5: Came on for the injured Neva and put in a solid shift. Made some important blocks and clearances.

Jonathan Gómez - 6.0: Added some fresh legs but didn't have a major impact on the game.

Jefté Betancor - 6.0: Had one big counter-attacking chance that he failed to convert. A missed opportunity.

Fran Gámez - N/A: Came on late.

Manager

A. González Fernández - 7.5: His tactics were nearly perfect. His team showed immense heart and character, refusing to be intimidated. They defended bravely and took their chance when it came. He can be incredibly proud of how his side pushed a giant of European football to their absolute limit.

Man of the Match

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo was the player of the match.

Worst Performer

Lorenzo Aguado failed to made any impact.