de Jong Grabs 7/10 | Barcelona Players Rated From Their Win Against Real Soceidad | OneFootball

Barcelona have secured their place in the Final of the Supercopa de Espana 2021 with a 3-2 win in the penalty shootout (1-1 at the end of regulation time and extra time). The Catalan giants will now face either Real Madrid or Athletic Club de Bilbao in the Final of the tournament in a couple of nights time.

Barcelona and Real Sociedad were inseparable after 120 minutes of football under cold conditions at the Nuevo Arcángel Stadium in Cordoba. The Catalans were without the services of Lionel Messi who was kept out of the semi-final with a slight niggle in his hamstring.

Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong paired up to score Barcelona’s first goal of the night as de Jong headed the Frenchman’s cross into the net. De Jong was then guilty of handling the ball inside the box and Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Here’s how Barcelona players are rated from their dramatic victory in the semi-final at the Nuevo Arcángel Stadium –

GK : Marc Andre Ter Stegen – 8/10

Ter Stegen single-handedly kept the Catalans in the game with some match-saving blocks as the game approached its latter stages. The German goalie had an amazing night and ensured Barcelona’s progress to the finals of the Supercopa de Espana with his saves in the penalty shootout.

RB : Oscar Mingueza – 7/10

Mingueza did not seem very comfortable in the full-back position. Nevertheless, Mingueza was effective down the right-hand side. Ronald Koeman’s decision of playing this young defender over the out and out full back in Sergino Dest is very difficult to comprehend.

CB : Ronald Araujo – 8/10

The young defender was right on top of his game throughout the entirety of the match. Araujo was alert and always on his heels when the La Real side came knocking at Barcelona’s goal.

CB : Clement Lenglet – 7/10

Lenglet put in a decent shift for Ronald Koeman’s side as he was paired up alongside Ronald Araujo in the heart of Barcelona’s defence.

LB : Jordi Alba – 7/10

Jordi Alba displayed great work rate as he continuously made runs up and down the flank helping out in the attack on several occasions.

CM : Frenkie de Jong – 7/10

Frenkie de Jong was amongst the most heavily involved players in the game tonight. After putting the Cules in a lead, the Dutchman conceded a penalty and to make matters worse for himself, also missed the opening penalty of the shootout post extra time.

CM : Sergio Busquets – 7/10

The Spaniard put in a tireless shift as the stand-in captain and made a couple of crucial interventions. Busquets was taken off at the full-time whistle of regulation time and on came Riqui Puig.

CM : Pedri – 8/10

Pedri was amongst the brightest performers for Barcelona on the night. The teenager certainly missed the company of Lionel Messi out in the middle. Pedri too was substituted at the end of the ninety minutes and was replaced by Miralem Pjanic.

RW : Ousmane Dembele – 7/10

The Frenchman was industrious throughout the game as he toiled hard down the right-hand side. Dembele scored Barcelona’s opening penalty of the night in the shootout.

ST : Martin Braithwaite – 7/10

The striker had a very average evening and made way for Francisco Trincão in the second half. A lot more was expected off Martin Braithwaite in the absence of Lionel Messi.

LW : Antoine Griezmann – 8/10

Griezmann had a vibrant evening in Cordoba as he set up Barcelona’s opening goal of the night. The Frenchman had a couple of clear cut chances which he failed to put away. Griezmann missed a penalty shot later on in the game.

Substitutes

ST : Francisco Trincão – 7/10

The Portuguese was a lively option off the bench and gave Barcelona that added bit of flair in the final third.

CM : Miralem Pjanic – 7/10

The former Juventus midfielder was crisp and precise post his introduction as he went about his job quietly. Tucked away a neat penalty later on in the tie.

CM : Riqui Puig – 7/10

A satisfactory performance from Puig as he scored Barcelona pivotal 5th penalty in the shootout.

RB : Junior Firpo – 6/10

Did not have much involvement in the game post his introduction.