Barcelona Player Ratings vs Eibar: 7/10 for impressive Dembele; Poor Griezmann, Braithwaite get 5

A debut to forget. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Antoine Griezmann and Martin Braithwaite were poor while Pedri was one of the few positives as Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by Eibar at Camp Nou.

Barcelona were presented with a great chance to open the scoring just six minutes into the game as they won a penalty but Martin Braithwaite failed to convert. The Dane seemed to have made amends for his earlier miss midway through the first half when he tucked home Junior Firpo’s cross, only to see the goal being ruled out for offside by VAR.

Eibar had a couple of speculative efforts from distance which Marc-Andre ter Stegen was up for as the first half ended goalless. Twelve minutes after the break, though, Eibar were ahead as captain Kike Garcia capitalised on a mistake from Ronald Araujo to finish past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The lead lasted just ten minutes though as Barcelona were able to peg the visitors back through substitute Ousmane Dembele, who was guilty of spurning a few chances prior to that. Barcelona had a couple more chances to win the game, but Pedri fired his effort over the bar while Francisco Trincao’s shot went agonisingly wide as the game ended with the spoils being shared.

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It was a disappointing performance from Ronald Koeman’s side who failed to build on their 3-0 win over Real Valladolid last time out. And, here’s how we rated the performances of the Barcelona stars on the night at Camp Nou.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 6/10

Was not tested a great deal by Eibar, but was alert to make a couple of stops to deny Takashi Inui and Damian Kadzior in the first half. Not a lot he could have done for Kike’s goal as he was left exposed by his defence.

Oscar Mingueza: 6/10

A fairly steady performance from the youngster, who had his task cut out against Inui and did well to keep him quiet for the most part. Shifted to the right-back slot after the change of shape at half-time and continued to be solid, completing five tackles on the night while he misplaced just seven of his 76 attempted passes.

Ronald Araujo: 5/10

Started the game well, winning the penalty in the early stages which Braithwaite failed to convert and had a headed effort saved. But, he gave the ball away in a dangerous area to allow Kike Garcia to pounce and put Eibar in the lead.

Did well to pick himself up after that error and ensured there were no further mistakes. Won 12 of the 14 aerial duels he contested, made seven clearances, but the mistake for the goal sees his rating get docked.

Clement Lenglet: 5.5/10

Not tested a great deal on the night, but the Frenchman still had a hairy moment early in the second half when he conceded possession to Kadzior, who could not make the most of it. Headed over after being found by Dembele with the score at 1-1. Made way for Sergio Busquets soon after.

Sergino Dest: 5/10

Looked solid in the defensive aspects, making four tackles, but his passing and end product in the first half were nowhere the near quality that was needed. Wasted a few great crossing opportunities, completed just 70% of his passes and was hauled off at half-time.

Miralem Pjanic: 6/10

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Making his second successive start after impressing against Real Valladolid, the ex-Juventus man hardly got going against Eibar. Did the basics well and kept things ticking but was not able to produce the defence-splitting passes to break open the visitors. Did manage one key pass and had a shot go wide in the second half.

Frenkie de Jong: 6/10

A rather average display from the Dutchman, who much like his partner in the middle of the park, could not make a telling impact when Barcelona needed it badly. There were some nice moments when he linked up well with Junior Firpo in the left side channel. Had a good chance to score in the second period but fired his effort straight at the Eibar goalkeeper.

Junior Firpo: 7/10

Coming into the side in place of the suspended Jordi Alba, Firpo, who has been linked with a January exit from Barcelona, enjoyed a positive outing against Eibar. Alert to any threat defensively, the wing-back also got forward to good effect, notably playing in the cross for Braithwaite’s disallowed goal before getting the assist for Dembele’s equaliser.

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Created a chance for Antoine Griezmann in between, which the Frenchman failed to convert. Ended the game with three key passes, two dribbles completed and three interceptions.

Antoine Griezmann: 5/10

Getting the nod in Lionel Messi’s absence, the Frenchman failed to step up on the night. Did not look threatening at all against Eibar as he failed to make a single key pass and completed just one dribble. Wasted a chance in the first half after being set up by Firpo before having an effort saved in the second. Ineffective and made way for Francisco Trincao.

Pedri: 7/10

The player to watch in our preview of the game, the teenager was by far Barcelona’s most creative player on Tuesday night. Created some fine chances for his attacking partners, especially in the second half when he set Dembele through twice in quick succession, but his teammates failed to convert. Had a chance to win it for Barcelona late in the game, but fired his effort over.

Martin Braithwaite: 5/10

Had the best chance of the game from the penalty spot within the first ten minutes but shockingly shot wide off the mark. Did put the ball into the back of the net not long after, but saw the strike chalked off for offside. Never stopped working in the final third, but that early miss hurt Barcelona. Had he scored from the spot, it would have changed the whole complexion of the game, and possibly the outcome as well.

SUBSTITUTES

Ousmane Dembele: 7/10

Came on for Dest at half-time. A livewire on the field, Dembele caused plenty of problems to the Eibar backline. Should have done better with a few chances early in the second period, but did score the all-important equaliser. Also managed to create a few chances for his teammates. Positive return from injury and will now be pushing for a start in the next game.

Philippe Coutinho: 6/10

Replaced Pjanic in the 66th minute. Involved in neat interplay with Firpo in the move leading to Dembele’s goal and created the late chance for Pedri. Hobbled off with an injury in the final phases, leaving Barcelona with ten men on the field.

Francisco Trincao: 6/10

On for Griezmann in the 66th minute. Almost won it for Barcelona after a nice run past a few opposition defenders, but his effort went just wide.

Sergio Busquets: N/A

Sent on in place of Lenglet with less than ten minutes left.

Riqui Puig: N/A

Late substitute for Pedri.

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