Barcelona player ratings vs Valencia: Robert Lewandowski is deadly! Striker nets brace and 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi impresses in 2-1 win as Hansi Flick gets up and running in La Liga

Lewandowski scored twice either side of half-time to give Barca a morale-boosting win, and Cubarsi looked at home in the heart of the backline.

Hansi Flick will have been keen for his side to lay down a marker in their opening La Liga game and while that didn’t quite happen, Barca did manage to start their campaign with a victory.

Barcelona huffed and puffed throughout the first half and went into the break 1-0 down, thanks to some slick Valencia interplay.

A brilliant cross from Diego Lopez, who beat Jules Kounde with a great stepover, was met at the back post by Hugo Duro, who headed home. A VAR review confirmed that he was onside.

And Duro almost had a second just two minutes later, as he beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen from close-range but was denied by a superb sliding Pau Cubarsi block.

The block proved vital, as Barcelona were able to equalise in added time of the first period. Lamine Yamal got on the end of an Alejandro Balde cross and played the ball across goal, with Robert Lewandowski able to finish.

After the restart, Raphinha won a penalty after being fouled in the box, and Lewandowski stepped up to score his second goal of the night.

Valencia faded badly thereafter, as Barca were able to see out what ended up as a comfortable win.

GOAL rates Barca’s players from the Mestalla…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Marc-Andre ter Stegen (5/10):

  One excellent first-half save denied Valencia from close range. Had no chance with Duro’s goal, as his defence went to sleep. Terrible pass was almost punished but Cubarsi bailed him out.

  Jules Kounde (4/10):

  Struggled at times against Valencia’s direct approach. Beaten all ends up in the build-up to Valencia’s goal.

  Pau Cubarsi (8/10):

  A sensational block on the stroke of half-time kept the scoreline at 1-0 as he denied Duro. Proved as important as any goal. At the age of 17, he already looks very much at home. Subbed just after the hour.

  Inigo Martinez (5/10):

  Stood stock still as the cross for Duro floated over his head. He was also playing the striker onside.

  Alejandro Balde (6/10):

  Played with real thrust down the left, pushing up whenever possible, and was rarely beaten, even if he did fade. Subbed in the second half.

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    Midfield

    Raphinha (6/10):

    Tested Mamardashvili early. Played in the No.10 role and struggled for fluency, but showed flashes, with one excellent run resulting in Barcelona’s penalty.

    Marc Bernal (7/10):

    A 17-year-old who rarely wastes a pass. Bernal kept midfield ticking and covers ground remarkably quickly. Subbed in the second half. An excellent debut.

    Marc Casado (6/10):

    Worked hard in midfield and attempted to link the backline with the attack. A fine showing, and he should have capped it with a goal, only to fire wide late on.

    • Lamine Yamal (6/10):

      Superb cut-back from Balde’s cross allowed Lewandowski to equalise. Usually so electric, Valencia’s defence managed to neuter his threat somewhat.

      Robert Lewandowski (8/10):

      Scored a poacher’s finish to bring Barcelona level and converted from the spot after Raphinha was fouled. Two chances, two goals. It’s just what Lewandowski does.

      Ferran Torres (4/10):

      On the periphery throughout. Touched the ball just 22 times and failed to have any impact in the final third.

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      Subs & Manager

      Andreas Christensen (5/10):

      Replaced Cubarsi. Booked almost immediately.

      Pedri (6/10):

      On for Torres. Didn’t have much to do in midfield as Valencia were muted after Barca took the lead.

      Gerard Martin (6/10):

      On for Balde. Barcelona essentially shut up shop at 2-1.

      Eric Garcia (6/10):

      On for Bernal in midfield.

      Hansi Flick (7/10):

      Barcelona struggled to get their gameplan working in the first half but they bounced back quickly from adversity, and Flick will have seen multiple teenagers make a significant impression, while managing the minutes of first-team stars. A fine evening.

      Source goal.com