Real Oviedo 1-3 Barcelona Player Ratings: Eric Garcia 8.5/10 Rated as Barcelona's Second-Half Surge Secures 3-1 Win

Real Oviedo came out of the gates looking to cause a massive upset in La Liga, and for a while, it looked like they might just do it. The game was defined by one moment of absolute magic and a subsequent display of relentless pressure. Alberto Reina's goal in the 33rd minute was something special, a bolt from the blue from over 35 yards that left the keeper with no chance. It was a stunner that sent the home crowd at Estadio Nuevo Carlos Tartiere into a frenzy.

Despite going down, FC Barcelona never really looked panicked. They dominated possession, with the brilliant Pedri pulling the strings in midfield, touching the ball an incredible 130 times. The visitors were just a bit unlucky in the first half; Raphinha rattled the woodwork, and Aarón Escandell in the Real Oviedo goal was having a world-class game, making save after save. You could feel the equalizer was coming; it was just a matter of when.

The second half was a different story entirely. Barcelona's quality shone through. The equalizer from Eric García after a corner felt inevitable, and once they were level, there only looked to be one winner. The introduction of Frenkie de Jong proved to be a masterstroke from the manager, as he provided the perfect cross for Robert Lewandowski to head home the go-ahead goal. Ronald Araujo's late header sealed a deserved 3-1 victory in this thrilling match, but Oviedo can hold their heads high. Here are the Real Oviedo vs Barcelona player ratings.

FC Barcelona Player Ratings vs Real Oviedo

Here are the Barcelona player ratings vs Real Oviedo.

Goalkeeper

Joan García - 5.5: We noticed he had a relatively quiet evening for the most part. He really stood no chance against Reina's incredible long-range strike. However, his performance was marred by an error that led to a goal, a significant mark against him even if his team recovered to win. He made one save but looked a bit shaky when called upon.

Defenders

Ronald Araujo - 8.0: A true captain's performance from the Uruguayan. He was a rock at the back, winning most of his duels and showing leadership. To top it off, he scored the goal that put the game to bed with a powerful header. His presence was felt at both ends of the pitch throughout the game.

Pau Cubarsí - 7.5: This kid is special. He looked so composed, passing the ball with a stunning 97% accuracy. He won 80% of his aerial duels and made several key clearances. From our perspective, he's already playing like a veteran defender. A few fouls aside, it was a very mature and impressive display.

Gerard Martín - 6.5: Had a solid, if unspectacular, game before being substituted. He was reliable in his defensive duties and didn't make any glaring errors. He didn't offer a huge threat going forward, but he stuck to his task well. A decent shift from the fullback.

Eric García - 8.5: Our clear man of the match. What stood out to us was not just his crucial equalizing goal but his overall defensive grit. He made several vital blocks and clearances when his team was under pressure. Playing with a chip on his shoulder, he delivered a fantastic all-around performance.

Midfielders

Pedri - 8.0: Simply majestic. He was the conductor of the orchestra, controlling the tempo with 130 touches and 106 completed passes. He created four chances and was the creative hub for everything Barcelona did. It was a midfield masterclass, and he made the game look effortless.

Raphinha - 7.0: A constant menace on the wing before he was subbed off. He was incredibly unlucky to see his powerful shot cannon back off the post. He was always trying to create, though his final decision-making was sometimes lacking. A very lively and dangerous performance nonetheless.

Marc Casadó - 6.0: It was a tough learning experience for the young midfielder. He didn't do anything particularly wrong, but he struggled to impose himself on the game. The manager's decision to replace him at halftime with a more experienced head was understandable and ultimately proved correct.

Dani Olmo - 6.5: A bit of a mixed performance from him. We noticed his work rate was high, and he won a good number of his duels. However, he was frustratingly loose in possession, losing the ball 15 times. He showed flashes of his quality but lacked consistency throughout the match.

Marcus Rashford - 7.0: While not a player on the team, he had an interesting game. His statistics show an assist and several shots on target, indicating he was a threat. However, losing possession 18 times is a high number. It seems he played a high-risk, high-reward game that ultimately contributed to his team's attack.

Forwards

Ferran Torres - 6.5: It was one of those nights for him. He had six shots in total but just couldn't find the back of the net, hitting the woodwork once. He worked hard to get into good positions, but his finishing touch deserted him. You have to admire his persistence, though.

Substitutes

Frenkie de Jong - 8.0: Came on at halftime and completely transformed the match. He brought much-needed control and forward momentum to the midfield. His perfectly weighted cross for Lewandowski's goal was the game's turning point. A superb impact.

Robert Lewandowski - 7.5: The ultimate goal-poacher. He came on and did exactly what he was brought on to do. He found space in the box and buried his chance with a classic striker's header. That's what world-class forwards do.

Jules Koundé - 6.5: Came on to help see out the game and did so effectively. He was solid and ensured there were no late surprises.

Manager

H. Flick - 7.5: His decision to bring on Frenkie de Jong at halftime was a tactical masterstroke that won his team the game. He recognized the need for more control and attacking drive from midfield. His changes were proactive and decisive, leading to a comfortable comeback win.

Real Oviedo Player Ratings vs FC Barcelona

Here are the Real Oviedo player ratings vs Barcelona.

Goalkeeper

Aarón Escandell - 7.5: He deserved better than conceding three goals. He was outstanding, making seven saves, with six of them coming from shots inside the box. He kept his team's hope alive for long stretches with some brilliant stops. A heroic effort in a losing cause.

Defenders

Eric Bailly - 5.0: From our perspective, it was a very difficult day for the former Manchester United man. He was booked and looked a step behind Barcelona's sharp attackers. While he made seven clearances, he was often reactive rather than proactive, a tough day at the office.

Rahim Alhassane - 6.0: He put in a diligent defensive shift. He made four clearances and won two of his three tackles. He stayed disciplined and focused on his defensive responsibilities. A respectable performance against top-tier opposition.

David Carmo - 6.5: He was in the heart of the action, making a massive eight clearances. He battled hard and threw his body on the line, blocking two shots. He won an impressive seven duels, but the sheer volume of attacks eventually overwhelmed him and the defense.

Lucas Ahijado - 5.0: A difficult night for the fullback. He struggled to contain the threat down his flank, being dribbled past twice. He lost possession far too easily. While he did create one big chance, his defensive shortcomings were evident.

Midfielders

Alberto Reina - 7.0: Scored a goal that will be talked about for a long time. It was a moment of pure genius. Beyond the goal, he worked tirelessly in the midfield and even had another shot on target. He was the source of his team's brightest moment.

Ilyas Chaira - 5.5: A frustrating game where he just couldn't get involved. Being caught offside three times summed up his night; his timing was off. He battled hard but offered very little going forward before being substituted.

Haissem Hassan - 6.0: Showed some nice flashes of skill with his dribbling. However he struggled to get on the ball enough to make a consistent impact. We noticed he was full of energy but couldn't quite find the right moment to influence the game.

Leander Dendoncker - 6.0: A warrior in the middle of the park. He won seven duels and made five tackles, breaking up play effectively. His contribution on the ball was poor, however, with a pass accuracy of just 44%. He was all bite but no bark.

Forwards

Santi Cazorla - 6.5: The veteran magician showed his enduring class, creating two chances with his wonderful vision. He captained the side well in the first hour. As Barcelona's midfield took over, his influence naturally waned, but the quality was still there to see.

Salomón Rondón - 4.5: A dreadful performance, and for us, the worst player on the pitch. He missed two big chances that could have changed the game. He lost possession an astounding 17 times. Despite his physical presence, he was a liability on the ball.

Substitutes

Luka Ilic - 6.0: Came on to add some energy but struggled to get into the flow of the game as Barcelona dominated.

Kwasi Sibo - 5.5: Barely made an impression after coming on, as the tide had already turned against his team.

Manager

V. Paunovic - 6.0: His initial game plan was excellent, leading to the shock opening goal. His team fought hard and showed great spirit. However, they had no answer once Barcelona stepped up a gear, and his substitutions failed to swing the momentum back in his favor.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Eric Gracia