It was another disappointment display in the first 45 minutes of the game as Barcelona showed no zeal in attack with no serious threat at goal posted against Shakhtar. Shakhtar took the lead 40 minutes into the game as Barcelona were caught lacking in defense as the counter attack started. Marcos Alonso was nowhere to be found in his position as a cross from the right hand side of the field was made into the box and Danylo Sikan could beat Ter Stegen with a beautiful header into the left hand side of the post.
Substitutions were made by Xavi Hernandez but nothing to show for it in the second half. It was a poor display of performance for the Blaugrana as they must do better if they want to make it out of the group and as leaders.
PLAYERS RATING
1. TER STEGEN 6.9/10
Had a defense decent saves but was beaten effortlessly.
2.JOAO CANCELO 8/10
Put up a much better performance than he did at the weekend. He started much of the attack for Barcelona and drifted into the midfield while defending brilliantly.
3. RONALD ARAUJO 7.4/10
He single-handedly stopped must attack but conceived a yellow card after the goal.
4. CHRISTENSEN 7.4/10
Put up a great performance defending but was caught lacking for the goal conceded.
5. MARCOS ALONSO 6.7/10
Once again, Alonso inclusion in the starting 11 added nothing go forward for Barcelona. Was inside his own box during the goal for some reason, leaving Torres 1v1 with Gocholeishvlli who whipped in the perfect cross.
6. ORIOL ROMEU 7/10
He was one of the best performer in the game for Barca. He did well to retrieve the ball and advance the ball from midfield. Created a couple of chances wasted by Torres and Lewandowski.
7. GAVI 6.9/10
He was barely seen during the game and couldn’t create chances for the attackers.
8. GUNDOGAN 7.7/10
Always ahead of everyone with a step. He moved freely and manipulated the ball like Xavi and Iniesta. He was untouchable in possession and did his best to find creative solutions through the tight and well defense of Shakhtar.
9. RAPHINHA 5/10
His first start since coming back from injury and it was an eyesore. Lost the ball easily and effortlessly, contributed nothing in attack and spam wasteful crosses into the box.
10. FERRAN TORRES 6.9/10
Torres was the best of the starting forwards but didn’t put in a good performance himself. Failed to hit the target with a few attempts and barely took on his marker at any point.
11. LEWANDOWSKI 7/10
Unlike the Sociedad game, Lewandowski received slightly better service in the game but didn’t make anything out of it . Failed to have a single shot on target and slowed down multiple attacks with bad decision making.
12. PEDRI 7/10
Added much needed pace to the game and broke lines well enough however he could not find the answers Barcelona were looking for and he wasn’t the solution to the problems in attack.
13. JOAO FELIX 6.5/10
Had the best chance of the game but failed to connect well enough. He was no different from Ferran Torres.
14. LAMINE YAMAL 7.1/10
Did much better than Raphinha going past the opposition and creating few chances. He had a great impact on the game but Barcelona couldn’t pounce on it.
15. ALEJANDRO BALDE 6.8/10
Was broU on to add offensive depth, but ended up doing the lion’s share of defensive work for the team in the second half as he intercepted Shakhtar’s attacks multiple times.
16. FERMIN LOPEZ 6.9/10