The Polish striker could only play one shot because Blograna had to wait for qualification for the knockout round.
Robert Lewandowski struggled to score in the sixth consecutive game, and on Tuesday, Barcelona suffered a 1-0 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, creating little clear opportunity.
Poland’s striker, Barcelona’s most obvious threat, was neutralized by a strong defense, as his side was delayed in their hopes of advancing from their group.
Mark-Andre Ter Stegen was forced to make inspired efforts to keep Barcelona in the game. However, he couldn’t do much about the next big chance. Shakhtar threw the ball into the box before Georgi Gochorishvili looped a header into the far corner, an astonishing end to a goalless striker.
Barcelona couldn’t create much in the second half, and they could have easily won more if Ter Stegen hadn’t provided two more straightforward stops.
Blograna’s disappointment increased by just a few notches in the second half when Shekhar sat comfortably with a 1-0 lead.
A decision that proved sensible as Javi’s team struggled repeatedly to secure a place in the crowded final third. Dealing with such problems was a challenging task for Lewandowski, as Barcelona failed to gain an advantage in a surprising defeat.
GOAL has rated Barcelona’s players at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg.
Goalkeeper and Defense:
Mark-Andre Ter Stegen (7/10):
Made good saves early on but couldn’t do anything about the goal. Some late saves kept his team in it.
Jordi Alba (5/10):
Performed his full-back duties effectively but lacked the killer delivery.
His pace dwindled following a promising beginning.
Ronald Araujo (8/10):
Colossal at the back. Always ready to deal with threats and remained calm. Barcelona would have lost by more without him.
A standout talent among the finest in his role.
Andreas Christensen (5/10):
Lost his track on Shakhtar’s striker and struggled to reach the heights of the previous season in some instances.
Marcos Alonso (5/10):
When Shekhar moved as a salami batsman, it wasn’t clear where he was. After a poor performance, he was substituted an hour later.
Midfield:
Oriol Romeu (4/10):
Made a return to the team after two poor performances. There wasn’t much on either side of the ball, and his lack of pace was evident when Barcelona was caught on the break.
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):
Certainly the best midfielder for Barcelona tonight, filled with energy and quality. Watching his driving runs was delightful.
Gavi (6/10):
A mixed performance. His work rate can’t be questioned, but there was a lack of quality in his passing. He’s much better when playing alongside a fit Pedri.
Attacking:
Raphinha (4/10):
Got into good positions, looked dangerous on the ball, but lacked composure in crucial moments. Ymal was more effective in his position.
Robert Lewandowski (4/10):
Failed to make an impact and often drifted back into his own half to get a touch. Nearly invisible in key areas. Looks frustrated at the moment.
Ferran Torres (5/10):
Given priority over Felix. Wasted a few half-chances and squandered all opportunities. It seems his impact as a viable option is being underutilized.
Substitutes and Manager:
Pedri (6/10):
Consistently on the ball, but couldn’t break the resolute Shakhtar defense. He hasn’t improved much since his injury.
Joao Felix (5/10):
Every time he touched the ball, it seemed to double, and he didn’t have the space to present his usual creativity.
Alejandro Balde (5/10):
His return pace was crucial as Barcelona pushed forward in search of a goal. However, in the final third, very little came through.
Lamin Ymal (6/10):
He produced a real spark from the bench with his dribbling ability.
Ferran Lopez (N/A):
Xavi (4/10):
By removing Felix and Balde and also taking Pedri off, Xavi made some significant changes, but they didn’t work. Barcelona looked utterly poor, with very few ideas against a compact defense. Can the ghost of Champions League past come back?
FC Barcelona has a rich history in La Liga, the premier Spanish football league. La Liga was established back in 1929, and in its inaugural season, Barcelona proudly claimed the title.
With a remarkable record, the club has clinched the La Liga trophy a total of 26 times, demonstrating its consistent dominance in Spanish football. Even more remarkable is the fact that Barcelona has consistently held onto its top-tier status, never experiencing the hardship of relegation to lower divisions throughout its illustrious history.
On the international stage, Barcelona has shone brightly.
The club’s triumph in the European Cup Winners’ Cup came on four distinct occasions, precisely in the years 1979, 1982, 1989, and 1997.
Furthermore, Barcelona has scaled great heights in the UEFA Champions League, clinching the coveted trophy five times in the years 1992, 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015. Their excellence extends to the UEFA Super Cup as well, with three victories in 1992, 1997, and 2009.
A truly remarkable chapter in Barcelona’s storied history came to life in the unforgettable season of 2008-09. The team accomplished a historic feat by capturing victory in La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the prestigious Continental Championship (Champions League), all in a single, unforgettable season.
This “treble” made them the first Spanish team to accomplish such a remarkable feat. To everyone’s amazement, they repeated this incredible achievement in the 2014-15 season, solidifying their status as a football powerhouse.
Barcelona played their home matches at Camp de Les Corts from 1922 to 1957. After swiftly outgrowing that facility due to the club’s increasing popularity, a massive new stadium, Camp Nou, was built in the western part of the city and opened in 1957.
In 1986, a colossal assembly of 120,000 enthusiastic fans gathered at the stadium to witness the enthralling European Cup quarter-final showdown between Barcelona and Juventus.
