Yamal 9, Christensen 8.5 | Espanyol 0-2 Barcelona: Player ratings | OneFootball

The second Catalan derby of the season between Barcelona and Espanyol kicked off at the RCDE Stadium on Thursday night in what was a monumental game for both sides.

A win for Barcelona would make them the official La Liga champions while a win for Espanyol would mathematically save them from relegation.

Hansi Flick, needless to say, deployed a very strong lineup with only Inigo Martinez out through suspension and Pau Cubarsi and Alejandro Balde rested.

The first 45 minutes saw Espanyol dominate as the better team and even create more chances than Barcelona but the storyline flipped on its head after the break.

A Lamine Yamal golazo close to the hour mark put the Blaugrana ahead and they dominated the period with chances flowing from all sides. The result, in the end, proclaimed Barcelona the champions of Spain.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Espanyol 0-1 Barcelona.

Wojciech Szczesny: 8.5

The Polish goalkeeper looked to be back at his best after a reasonable run of games and made a massive 1v1 save early in the first half to deny Espanyol. He even made a well-timed run out of his box to stop a second opportunity in the half.

Once again came up with great saves and runs out of the box in the econd period to prove his evolution as a sweeper-keeper.

Gerard Martin: 6.5

The Spaniard looked solid in defence in the first half but did not show much promise going forward. Was replaced at half-time by Alejandro Balde to inject pace and transition potency into the side.

Andreas Christensen: 8.5

Christensen impressed in his first start of the season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The Danish defender was one of Barcelona’s best and most composed players on the field which is surprising considering that he has been injured for most of the season.

Was largely good with his decision-making, especially when he opted against making a last-man tackle given the game situation, and excelled with his distribution. Showed good comfort in Hansi Flick’s system.

Ronald Araujo: 7

Araujo was largely the opposite of Christensen in terms of his composure on the field, although it can be said that that is his nature on the field in general.

The Uruguayan star was slightly more panicky when Espanyol broke the lines to set players free on goal, and thus had his pace tested to the limit. Struggled to control Los Pericos’ counterattacks.

Eric Garcia: 7.5

The player continued to show he is a snug fit at right-back as he did not hesitate to push forward in attack while also maintaining his stability at the back.

Combined better with Yamal on the flank and was visibly more trusted by the young teenager in attack. Made a massive block in the 60th minute when Espanyol looked clear on goal.

Pedri: 8.5

Pedri seemed like the only Barcelona who knew his way around the Espanyol press in the first half and ran around the hosts’ midfielders to help Barcelona retain the little possession they were given.

He also led most of Barcelona’s attacking transitions and constantly looked to break the lines given Espanyol’s compact defence.

Frenkie de Jong: 8

The Dutchman continued his good run of form although it was clear that he struggled more against Los Pericos’ press than he did even against Real Madrid at the weekend.

Was calm on the ball and with his distribution but often lost possession while attempting to progress forward and could not close down the hosts’ passing channels on their counters.

Dani Olmo: 6

Olmo was far from his best once again. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Olmo once again failed to hit the level he has shown he possesses this season. Was uncharacteristically sloppy in tight spaces and never really got going in the final third despite a couple of good combination play sequences with Lamine Yamal sporadically.

Lamine Yamal: 9

The Golden Boy scored the title-winning goal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Yamal had a very quiet first half by his standards, both in terms of shots on goal and in terms of his creative output. After all, Espanyol had a set of players dedicated to closing him down every time he got the ball.

Came back much better in the second half and immediately made a difference with a sensational strike into the top corner of Joan Garcia’s goal to give his side the lead.

Raphinha: 7.5

The Brazilian did not create as much threat on goal in the first half as he would have liked to and was sloppy with some of his passes. However, he was one of the only outlets for Barcelona in attack who looked to have the incentive to go forward.

Robert Lewandowski: 7

The Polish striker returned to the starting lineup given Ferran Torres’ unavailability and had Barcelona’s best chance of the first half which he struck just wide.

Did not look rusty and created some threat of the chances he received. Given Espanyol’s heavy man-marking in the box, however, he did not see as much of the ball as he would have hoped for.

Fermin Lopez: 7.5

Came on as a late substitute and scored the second goal of the night with a stunning finish. On this occassion, the goal stood unlike his last gasp goal in El Classico.