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FC Barcelona Player Ratings: 0-1 win in Portugal

By Luis Garcia

PORTO, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 4: Ronald Araujo of Barcelona (R) celebrates with his teammates after winning Porto during the UEFA Champions League Group Stage Group H match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona at Estadio do Dragao on October 4, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Daniel Castro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 4: Ronald Araujo of Barcelona (R) celebrates with his teammates after winning Porto during the UEFA Champions League Group Stage Group H match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona at Estadio do Dragao on October 4, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Daniel Castro/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Defenders

Cancelo – 6/10

Tough from him. He picked up a quick yellow, but otherwise, he defended well tonight. Wasn’t too good in possession, and didn’t offer the same spark on offence that he did in his first few matches. Gave up a penalty that was then reversed by VAR, but could’ve easily been given as well. Overall, a lacklustre performance.

Araújo – 8/10

Very good. Araújo is a physical specimen, as we well know, and he pulled off a couple of beautiful tackles tonight, along with Koundé. It’s good to see him back, and he repaid Xavi’s trust in him tonight. He did seem to put Romeu in a bit of trouble with some of his passes tonight but otherwise was quite good. As usual, most of the time Barça suffer, it’s because of the midfield and not the defence, who are just trying to hold it down.

Koundé – 8/10

Don’t look now, but Jules may be quickly becoming the best defender Barça has right now. Yes, maybe even better than Araújo. The arrival of Cancelo has allowed Koundé to play centre back, his preferred position, and he’s been showing why. He had a tremendous tackle from behind where he cleanly took the ball of the Porto player, about to shoot. He was good in the air, completed almost every pass, and was steady as a rock in that back line. He only made 2 mistakes all match. Once where he misjudged his position and allowed Porto a chance, and once early on when he seemed to commit a penalty that VAR luckily didn’t call.

Balde – 8/10

One of Barça’s better players in this one, by far. He was quick and strong, as usual, but he also made good decisions in this one. He showed a bit more patience and generally knew when to speed up and when to slow it down. Porto had their hands full with him on that left side, and his combination with Félix in the first half was one of Barça’s lone bright spots. He also defended quite well when called upon. He certainly gives the game a different energy when he’s on.

Alonso – 6/10

He helped defend for the last few minutes, especially with Gavi out of the game, he was solid. Did well to clog up spaces so Porto couldn’t get through. Didn’t do too much in possession, as Barça were mostly just defending near the end.

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