Barcelona 3-1 Elche Player Ratings: Fermín Lopez Rated 8.5/10 as Barcelona Dominates in a 3-1 Victory

For Barcelona, this game was essential to gel up again after what had happened before and after El Clasico. It looked like the team again played in symphony like they used to, especially Kopa trophy winner Yamal, who didn’t have an excellent game but whose team play shows that the outside noise has finally reached his ears.

Additionally, he was also coming off personal hardship after the famous couple Yamal and Nicki Nicole announced that they are not together now.

While the game was totally controlled by the hosts, we cannot discredit the display by Rafa Mir, who almost scored three goals today, but something was not on his side, and the player ended with one goal only.

Barcelona came out of the gates with an intensity that Elche simply couldn't handle. It was a whirlwind start that left the visitors stunned. The scoring opened almost immediately. Youngster Lamine Yamal found the net in the 9th minute. Just two minutes later, Ferran Torres doubled the lead, and it felt like the floodgates would open. What stood out to us was the sheer speed and precision of Barcelona's attack. The link-up play was mesmerizing. Elche looked completely shell-shocked.

However, credit to Elche, they didn't collapse. They fought their way back into the match. Rafa Mir pulled a goal back just before halftime, giving them a glimmer of hope. The second half was a more contested affair, but Marcus Rashford sealed the points for the home side with a goal on the hour mark. Elche will feel unlucky though, with Mir hitting the woodwork twice. It could have been a very different game.

Here are Barcelona Vs Elche Player Ratings

Barcelona Player Ratings vs Elche

Here are Barcelona Player Ratings vs Elche

Goalkeeper

Wojciech Szczesny - 6.5: We noticed he had a relatively quiet afternoon. He was beaten by Rafa Mir's well-placed shot, which he could do little about. He made two saves inside the box when called upon. His distribution was decent, completing 74% of his passes. Overall, it was a steady but untested performance from the Barcelona keeper.

Defenders

Jules Koundé - 6.5: A solid if unspectacular outing for the Frenchman. He was strong in his duels winning 5 out of 8. He tried to contribute offensively with a couple of accurate crosses. From our perspective, he did his job without any fuss. He was caught out once but recovered well. A dependable performance at the back.

Ronald Araujo - 7.0: The captain led by example. He was an absolute rock at the back, winning an impressive 8 out of 10 duels. His aerial presence was dominant. We felt his commanding nature brought a sense of calm to the backline, especially when Elche pushed for an equalizer. His passing was also crisp and accurate.

Eric García - 6.5: A mixed bag for García. His passing range was on display with some nice long balls. However, he lost possession a dozen times which is a bit high. He made a couple of important interceptions. We noticed he looked a little uncertain at times but grew into the game. A decent showing overall.

Alejandro Balde - 7.5: What a threat he was down the left flank. His pace was electric and he provided a brilliant assist for the opening goal. Defensively, he was mostly solid, though one error did lead to a shot. His attacking output more than made up for any minor defensive lapses. He was subbed off after a great shift.

Midfielders

Marc Casadó - 6.0: It felt like a learning experience for the young midfielder. He struggled to get into the rhythm of the game. We saw him commit five fouls, which showed his eagerness but also his inexperience. His passing was tidy enough, but he was often bypassed in the middle of the park. A tough day at the office.

Frenkie de Jong - 8.0: He absolutely ran the show from the heart of midfield. From our perspective, he was everywhere. He recovered the ball, drove forward, and created two chances, including one big chance. His composure on the ball was exceptional, losing it only five times. A masterclass in midfield control.

Fermín López - 8.5: Our man of the match, without a doubt. What stood out to us were his two crucial assists, setting up goals with incredible vision. He was the creative spark that Barcelona needed. His energy was infectious, and he was constantly looking to make things happen. An absolutely outstanding performance from the midfielder.

Forwards

Lamine Yamal - 7.5: The young sensation continues to impress. He took his goal with the composure of a veteran. He was a constant thorn in Elche's side, though he did miss a big chance later on. His confidence is clear to see. Every time he gets the ball, you expect something to happen. A very good performance.

Ferran Torres - 8.0: This was a sharp and incisive performance. He got his goal and was unlucky not to have another. He registered three shots on target and created two big chances for his teammates. We noticed his movement was intelligent and caused all sorts of problems for the Elche defence. He looked full of confidence.

Marcus Rashford - 7.5: He scored the crucial third goal that killed the game. He was a bit wasteful at times, taking six shots in total. However, his persistence paid off with a well-taken finish. His willingness to take players on was a key part of Barcelona's attack. A good, goal-scoring display.

Substitutes

Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Gerard Martín: Came on to help see out the victory. They provided fresh legs and maintained Barcelona's control of the match.

Manager

H. Flick - 8.0: His game plan worked to perfection. The high-intensity start blew Elche away and effectively won the match in the first 15 minutes. His team selection was justified, and his tactics exploited the opposition's weaknesses. A very well-managed game from the Barcelona boss.

Elche Player Ratings vs Barcelona

Here are Elche Player Ratings vs Barcelona

Goalkeeper

Iñaki Peña - 6.0: A tough day for the keeper, facing his parent club. He conceded three goals, but honestly could do little about them. He did make two saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse. From our perspective, he was left exposed by his defence. It was a difficult return to Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Defenders

Álvaro Núñez - 7.0: One of Elche's better performers. He provided a lovely assist for Rafa Mir's goal. He was a willing runner down the flank and tried to contribute positively. Defensively, he was part of a unit that struggled, but he can hold his head high for his individual effort. A good display in a losing cause.

David Affengruber - 5.0: It was a difficult match for the central defender. A significant error from him directly led to a Barcelona goal. That moment really hurt his team. While he made some good tackles and blocks, the mistake was too costly to ignore. He looked shaky under pressure.

Pedro Bigas - 6.5: The captain put in a brave shift. He made some vital interventions, including a last-man tackle. His experience was evident as he tried to organize a defence under siege. His game was unfortunately cut short by an injury. Elche missed his leadership after he went off.

Adrià Pedrosa - 4.5: A day he will want to forget quickly. His error leading to a goal was a calamitous moment. He was tormented by Barcelona's wingers and was dribbled past twice. He just couldn't cope with the pace and movement of the opposition. From our vantage point, he was the worst performer on the pitch.

Midfielders

Germán Valera - 5.5: An anonymous performance. He had a high pass completion rate but offered very little going forward. The game completely passed him by. We barely noticed him on the pitch, and it was no surprise when he was substituted. He failed to make any impact.

Marc Aguado - 6.0: He put in a lot of work in the engine room. He recovered the ball six times and made some tackles. However he was often chasing shadows as Barcelona's midfield dictated the tempo. He worked hard, but it was a thankless task against superior opposition.

Aleix Febas - 6.5: A real fighter in midfield. He drew five fouls, showing his willingness to get on the ball and take the game to Barcelona. He never stopped trying to make things happen. What stood out to us was his tenacity. A bright spark in a defeated team.

Martim Neto - 5.0: He only lasted 45 minutes and it's easy to see why. He struggled to get a foothold in the game, picked up a yellow card, and lost possession cheaply. He looked off the pace and was rightly substituted at halftime. A disappointing display.

Forwards

Rafa Mir - 7.5: Elche's best player by a considerable margin. He scored a fantastic goal to give his team hope. He was also incredibly unlucky to hit the woodwork twice. On another day he could have had a hat-trick. He was a constant menace and deserved more from the game.

André Silva - 6.0: A frustrating evening for the striker. He was isolated for large parts of the game. He worked hard and drew a couple of fouls but was starved of any real service. He created a couple of chances but couldn't get into scoring positions himself. It was a tough night's work.

Substitutes

Rodrigo Mendoza, Héctor Fort, Yago Santiago, Álvaro Rodríguez: The substitutes tried to change the game's flow but the damage was already done. They brought some energy but couldn't alter the result.

Manager

E. Sarabia Armesto - 5.5: His team looked completely unprepared for Barcelona's fast start. The defensive organization in the first 15 minutes was non-existent. While they showed good character to fight back, the game was lost tactically in the opening stages. He'll be disappointed with how easily his side was opened up.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Fermín Lopez