Barcelona Players Ratings VS Slavia Prague
Barcelona kept their hopes of automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League last 16 alive with a dramatic 4-2 comeback victory over Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic on Wednesday night.
The Catalan giants overcame an early scare, rallied through goals from Fermin López, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski, but also suffered the blow of losing key midfielder Pedri to injury in the process.
Trailing early at the Fortuna Arena, Barcelona conceded against the run of play before staging a strong response.
Midfielder Fermin López, once again a key figure for Hansi Flick’s side, scored a brace to put Barca ahead before the break.
Slavia Prague managed to peg them back thanks to an own goal by Robert Lewandowski, but Barcelona finished strongly after halftime with goals from Olmo and Lewandowski to secure all three points and maintain their push toward Europe’s knockout phase.
Below is a full breakdown of Barcelona’s player ratings from this pivotal Champions League clash:
Goalkeeper & Defense
Joan Garcia (6/10): Had a mixed night between the sticks. Garcia made some routine saves when called upon, but he looked uneasy whenever Slavia Prague delivered corners into his area.
His distribution was solid but far from commanding as Barcelona’s defence looked occasionally shaky.
Jules Koundé (6/10): The French full-back didn’t stand out defensively but contributed with forward runs and was involved in attacking phases.
Koundé’s impact was limited compared to López and Olmo but he helped maintain structure at the back.
Eric García (7/10): Showed composure with the ball and helped build play from the back. García’s distribution and calmness were positives, even if Barcelona’s defensive line struggled at times during Slavia’s set pieces.
Gerard Martín (5/10): Appeared nervous in several defensive situations and was outmuscled on occasion. Martín’s night was more about damage limitation than influence.
Alejandro Balde (5/10): Was beaten for pace in the early stages and didn’t offer much going forward. The left-back position was a concern as Balde was less effective both in defence and attack.
Midfield
Frenkie de Jong (7/10): The Dutch midfielder shouldered much of the creative responsibility in the middle of the park.
Although he was partly at fault for Slavia’s early opener, de Jong grew into the game and became an influential figure as Barcelona turned the match around. His late booking will see him miss Barca’s final group fixture against Copenhagen.
Pedri (5/10): A rare off night was compounded by an injury that forced Pedri off in the second half, casting a shadow over Barcelona’s victory.
The Spanish midfielder struggled to find space and influence the game before his substitution — a loss that will concern coach Hansi Flick ahead of more crucial fixtures.
Fermin López (8/10): Once again the standout performer for Barcelona. Fermin López scored both of Barcelona’s first-half goals, cancelling out Slavia’s early lead and giving Barca the momentum.
His movement, finishing and ability to find space proved decisive on a night when Barcelona needed a spark — and López delivered with authority.
Attack
Roony Bardghji (5/10): Started the game but failed to make a significant impact in attack. Bardghji wasted an early chance and was substituted in favour of a more experienced option as Barcelona searched for control.
Robert Lewandowski (6/10): The veteran striker endured a frustrating start, inadvertently turning a Slavia corner into his own net to make the score 2-2 just before half-time.
But Lewandowski showed his fighting spirit by redeeming himself in the second half, slotting home Barcelona’s fourth goal after good work from Marcus Rashford. His contribution ultimately helped seal the victory.
Raphinha (6/10): Didn’t make his usual impact on the offensive end but worked hard off the ball and played his part in transitional phases. His flick on the ball helped set up one of López’s goals.
Substitutes and Tactical Shifts
Barcelona’s substitutes proved vital in securing this important win:
Dani Olmo (7/10): Replaced the injured Pedri and made an instant impact. Olmo struck a stunning goal into the top corner shortly after coming on, restoring Barcelona’s lead and swinging momentum in their favour.
Marcus Rashford (7/10): The Manchester United loanee came off the bench and provided the assist for Lewandowski’s goal, showcasing his value in attack and linking play with precision.
Marc Bernal (6/10) and Ronald Araujo (6/10): Brought on late to help see out the game, providing fresh legs and ensuring Barcelona kept their defensive shape as the match closed.
Manager: Hansi Flick (7/10)
Flick will be pleased with the victory and the team’s resilience, especially after conceding early and facing an injury setback.
The tactical changes — particularly bringing on Olmo and Rashford — paid dividends. That said, defensive lapses and Pedri’s injury will be areas of concern moving forward.
What This Means for Barcelona’s Champions League Campaign
Barcelona’s 4-2 comeback win keeps them competitive in Group H, improving their chances of finishing in a position that could secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16.
While defensive problems and injury issues remain, sparks of attacking quality — especially from Fermin López and the likes of Lewandowski and Olmo — highlight that Barca can still deliver when it matters.
