A stunning start, a nervous middle, and a dominant finish — Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Alaves had all the drama you could ask for. But here’s where it gets interesting: the visitors struck first within a minute, shaking the Camp Nou crowd. Could Barcelona recover from such an early blow? The answer came loud and clear, thanks to Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and a returning Raphinha — each proving why they’re crucial to Xavi’s system. Yet, not every player walked away with glowing reviews. Let’s dive deeper into the player ratings from this thrilling matchup.
Barcelona 3-1 Deportivo Alaves: Player Ratings
The game marked only Barcelona’s second match back at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou. Unlike their first, a comfortable 4-0 win, this one kept fans on edge almost from the start. Alaves stunned the hosts by scoring just 45 seconds in, putting immense pressure on the Catalan defense and ending any hope of a clean sheet early on.
Lamine Yamal equalized soon after, showing a calmness beyond his years, while Dani Olmo’s sharp finish later in the first half turned the tables. The second half saw an energetic back-and-forth, with both teams pushing hard but failing to convert clear opportunities. In the end, Olmo sealed the victory with a late strike, helping Barcelona temporarily leapfrog Real Madrid in La Liga’s standings.
Joan Garcia: 8.5
Despite conceding early, Garcia showed exceptional composure. The blame for the opening goal lay squarely with the defenders’ poor set-piece marking, not the keeper. His save while sprawled on the turf was one of the match’s standout moments.
Alejandro Balde: 8
With Raphinha back in the lineup, Balde’s attacking involvement skyrocketed. The full-back repeatedly combined with the Brazilian, tearing open Alaves’s backline. His defensive work, while not flawless, was more than respectable.
Gerard Martin: 6.5
This wasn’t a night to remember for Martin. Shifting from left-back to center-back seemed to throw him off. His shaky distribution and lack of urgency when tracking back left fans frustrated, though he did play a key role in the buildup to Barcelona’s second goal.
Pau Cubarsi: 7.5
Cubarsi put in a tidy shift, reading counter-attacks well and executing the offside trap effectively. He did make a few risky passes and missteps, but overall, his reliability at the back stood out.
Eric Garcia: 8
Deployed as a right-back, Garcia adapted like a pro — hence his reputation as Barcelona’s ‘chameleon’. He supported the attack effectively, combining often with Yamal. However, a knock to his already-injured nose visibly affected him until he was eventually replaced by Jules Kounde.
Marc Casado: 6.5
Casado carried the burden of leadership in midfield in the absence of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. His energy was commendable, but his passing lacked precision, leading to unnecessary turnovers.
Marc Bernal: 6.5
Making his first start in over a year, Bernal understandably looked rusty. Still, he provided glimpses of genuine talent with a few smart passes and confident distributions. He’ll need time to regain consistency, but the potential is clearly there.
Dani Olmo: 8.5
Olmo was in electric form, thriving in the half-spaces and connecting fluidly with Raphinha and Yamal. His composed finish gave Barcelona the lead, and his late goal sealed the result. A statement performance from a player whose influence keeps growing.
Lamine Yamal: 8.5
The teenage prodigy looked revitalized. His fearless one-on-one dribbles and slick link-up play with Olmo and Garcia were a joy to watch. Cool under pressure, he netted the equalizer early but squandered a golden chance later with a bit of overconfidence.
Robert Lewandowski: 6.5
A frustrating evening for the veteran striker. His first touch deserted him more often than not, and his lack of sharpness cost Barcelona a few promising opportunities. Questions remain about whether he’s being used correctly in this evolving system.
Raphinha: 9
And then there’s Raphinha — the heartbeat Barcelona didn’t realize they missed this much. Returning from injury, he immediately injected life into the left flank. His creativity, off-the-ball intelligence, and relentless pressing were game-changing. He set up Olmo’s goal and could have had another assist for Yamal. His hunger and intensity symbolized exactly what Barcelona have lacked in recent weeks.
But here’s the question — has Raphinha quietly become Barcelona’s most indispensable attacker this season? Some might argue that Yamal’s flair or Lewandowski’s legacy make them more vital, but Raphinha’s energy and directness seem to redefine the team’s attacking rhythm. What do you think — is he the difference-maker Barca desperately needs, or are these flashes just temporary brilliance? Share your thoughts below — the debate’s just getting started.
