The forgotten midfielder scored twice as Barcelona got back to winning ways in the league despite another poor performance
Sergi Roberto scored twice to redeem an uncharacteristically poor Ronald Araujo and wasteful Robert Lewandowski, and help Barcelona to a dramatic win over 20th-placed Almeria. The Blaugrana lost the lead twice, but claimed it for good, as Roberto's 83rd-minute winner sealed a 3-2 victory.
Barcelona should have taken the lead inside eight minutes, but Luis Maximiano kept out Roberto's free header with a fine diving stop. Raphinha eventually found the breakthrough, latching onto a rebound and lifting the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Maximiano kept the visitors in it, though, denying Lewandowski from close range when the striker seemed certain to score. Almeria had few chances themselves, but capitalised. It was an admittedly easy thing, a Ronald Araujo blunder handing Leo Baptistao an easy chance – and he converted it, dinking the ball over Inaki Pena to lock the game at 1-1 just before the half.
Roberto reclaimed the lead for Barca after half time. The captain ghosted in at the near post to meet Raphinha's corner, and looped his header over Maximiano and into the net. But once again, the Blaugrana let Almeria back in the game. Araujo was at fault once more, colliding with Inaki Pena, leaving an open goal for Edgar Gonzalez to finish into.
And the reserve midfielder eventually played hero. He darted in behind the Almeria defence, and simply passed the ball through Maximiano for a decisive third.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium…
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Inaki Pena (4/10):
Couldn't do anything about the Almeria first – it was an excellent finish. Partially culpable for the second. They need Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Joao Cancelo (6/10):
Pinged the ball around, created chances with his passing range. Sometimes lost defensively, though.
Ronald Araujo (3/10):
A rare defensive blunder effectively handed the visitors an equaliser. An even worse one gave them a second goal. Unsteady throughout.
Andreas Christensen (4/10):
Very fortunate not to be sent off after a silly challenge in the first half. Removed at the break.
Alejandro Balde (5/10):
Active in the first half, but faded in the second. He's not the same player this year.
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Sergi Roberto (9/10):
Two goals to win it, out of nowhere. An unlikely hero, but Barca needed one.
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):
Solid at the base of midfield. Better in the second half when moved into more advanced areas.
Fermin Lopez (6/10):
A decent shift. Kept the ball moving, involved in some of the good stuff.
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Raphinha (7/10):
Scored the opener, assisted the second, didn't do much else. Impactful, despite not playing particularly well.
Robert Lewandowski (4/10):
So, so, so wasteful. Missed a handful of chances, saw another denied. What's wrong?
Joao Felix (5/10):
On the ball a lot, and did a lot of pretty things. But he could certainly be more direct. removed at half time.
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Jules Kounde (5/10):
Introduced at the break, and didn't exactly tighten up the defence.
Ferran Torres (5/10):
Very little impact after coming on at half time.
Oriol Romeu (4/10):
Poor. He lacks legs at the base of midfield, and doesn't offer much solidity.
Lamine Yamal (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Xavi (5/10):
Once again, this was a very poor Barca performance, especially at the back. But his team got the win, which will keep him alive for at least another week.