Barcelona could not overcome a four-goal deficit in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Madrid, but they did well.
Joan Garcia – 7
The honest truth is that he had little to do, but he made a smart save down his left. He was sharp without his goal.
Jules Kounde – N/A
He left after 11 minutes injured, it was very unfortunate for Kounde, who had started well. They will miss their Champions League game against Newcastle United.
Pau Cubarsi – 9
Cubarsi has struggled this season, but this was his best performance in 18 months. I’m very impressed with Barcelona’s aggressive defending, suffocating first Julian Alvarez and then Alexander Sorloth, and it was a stunning last-man challenge from Alex Baena that kept Barcelona alive. What was most impressive was his eagerness and decision-making, putting his foot down when necessary.
Gerard Martin – 6.5
Lots of quick passes and crosses gave the ball away many times in the first half. The harder it is to go the other way, the better chance it is later to hit the target.
Joao Cancelo – 8
He switched to right back after Kounde was injured early on. Steady in the challenge, and tidy with his game, Cancelo looked home. Most of Barcelona’s attacking play came through him and Lamine Yamal, and he created plenty of danger. He also took Bernal for good help.
Marc Bernal – 8.5
This was the first big game that Marc Bernal started, and he finished with medals on his bench, even if Barcelona will not be in Seville. Apart from his brace, both goals were well-taken, Bernal was key to Atletico Madrid’s scoring, with Koke and Johnny Cardoso struggling to find clean passes.
🚨 Marc Bernal: “We’re done fighting, but this badge deserves it. I’m happy with two goals.” 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/7xviCoBfGR
– barcacentre (@barcacentre) March 3, 2026
Peter – 9
Pedri’s other class. It basically couldn’t move after the 75th minute, and somehow made two teck-mans on Alexander Sorloth. If Barcelona had a chance this time, it was because of Pedri, who thwarted Atletico’s efforts, finding ways to get Lamine Yamal the ball in better places. He won the sentence.
Lamine Yamal – 9
Lamine Yamal played like he had 99 percent faith. He often seeks the ball, repeatedly beating Matteo Ruggeri, Ademola Lookman and David Hancko. The first goal came from his excellent assist, the second he was involved in, and if Barcelona were to get the fourth, it would have come from him. In this form, it is almost impossible to contain him.
Fermin Lopez – 5.5
An incredibly quiet play by Fermin, withdrawn in the closing stages. The few shooting opportunities he had, he couldn’t connect with them properly, and often didn’t make his presence felt, which he always did.
Raphinha – 7
It was a terrible first half, where he wasted many good chances, but he improved after the penalty. However, even in the second half, he struggled to find spaces or shooting opportunities. That said, he remained the engine behind Barcelona’s pressure.
Ferran Torres – 4.5
A rough and rusty night for Ferran, who could hardly complain when he was sent off first. He had three chances in the first half, none of which he should have scored, but you would have expected better in at least one of them. He was involved in penalty kicks, but that stood out because he wasn’t very much in the mix.
What you are holding
Alejandro Balde – 6.5
It was forced to be early for Kounde. He was well protected for an hour before he came out crying, but again he didn’t add much.
Dani Olmo – 5
Fermin went on after 64 minutes, Olmo couldn’t even find the cracks in Atletico’s midfield. He struggled to give his team the energy they needed in the final stages.
Marcus Rashford – 6.5
He was a little hungry on the left side, with no line to feed people around him, but he did well when he got the ball, winning a lot of corners.
Ronald Araujo – 5
He was brought forward for the last 20 minutes, a role that isn’t really his, so it’s hard to criticize too much. However, Atletico’s defense was not intimidated by his presence in the box, and he was caught offside on several occasions.
