Barcelona scored two late goals to beat Cádiz and secure their first win of the new LaLiga season.
Barcelona took a breather for most of the game and were unable to break down a stubborn Cádiz team that came up to defend in the new home of the champions.
Xavi’s men had 78% of the ball, with Frenkie de Jong in particular showing off his laser range.
Still, Cádiz had plenty of opportunities on the counter attack, but their final ball was always lacking.
Barça finally broke through with just eight minutes remaining and can thank one of their new signings for the assist.
After some nice play around the box, İlkay Gündoğan slipped the ball to Pedri, who finished from close range.
The relief inside the Olympic Stadium (where Barça will play this season while the Nou Camp is being renovated) was palpable.
The points were safely secured late on when Ferran Torres raced through to head home Robert Lewandowski’s flick-on.
After last week’s draw against Getafe and strong starts from both Madrid sides, Barça needed a win tonight and they almost did.
Barcelona player ratings (3-4-2-1)
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 7/10 – Made a string of fine saves to keep Barcelona afloat.
CB: Jules Kounde – 5/10 – Tucked inside to form a back three off the ball but bombed on as another attacking body on it. Wasn’t much use at either end.
CB: Andreas Christensen – 5/10 – Sometimes left isolated by Barcelona’s ultra-attacking formation and clearly did not want to get into a race or physical battle with Cadiz’s pair of forwards.
CB: Frenkie de Jong – 6/10 – Stepped into midfield before shirking his defensive responsibilities altogether. Needed a helping hand in connecting Barcelona’s attacks.
RM: Lamine Yamal – 7/10 – Now La Liga’s youngest ever starter just a month after turning 16. Took on the responsibility of leading Barcelona’s attacks and out-performed many of his senior teammates.
CM: Oriol Romeu – 6/10 – Broke up play well and kept things simple in the middle of the park.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 7/10 – Afforded the freedom to crash the Cadiz box just as was the case in his Manchester City days, though to little avail until late on.
LM: Alejandro Balde – 5/10 – Pushed high up the pitch like an orthodox winger. Stretched play but wasn’t much of a threat.
AM: Gavi – 5/10 – Bundled his way into challenges and tackles while bustling about the pitch, but aside from hitting the crossbar from a corner failed to make a noticeable difference.
AM: Pedri – 9/10 – Barcelona’s primary source of creativity found it hard to shine when swarmed by yellow shirts and left to drown by disinterested teammates. He managed to break free from those shackles and come up with an inspired winner.
CF: Robert Lewandowski – 6/10 – Missed a huge chance to take the lead early on and Barcelona struggled to carve their opponents open at will thereafter. Manhandled by Cadiz’s brute centre-backs for the most part but got his revenge with a clever assist in added time.
Substitutes
SUB: Ansu Fati (68′ for Balde) – 6/10
SUB: Ez Abde (68′ for Gavi) – 7/10
SUB: Sergi Roberto (79′ for Romeu) – 6/10
SUB: Eric Garcia (79′ for Christensen) – 6/10
SUB: Ferran Torres (85′ for Yamal) – 8/10
Subs not used: Astralaga (GK), Kochen (GK), Casado, Lopez
Manager
Xavi – 6/10 – Replaced by his brother Oscar on the touchline due to suspension. Barcelona still have the same teething issues in front of goal but they’re working through the problem.
Cadiz player ratings (4-4-2)
GK: Jeremias Ledesma (7); RB: Isaac Carcelen (5), CB: Luis Hernandez (6), CB: Fali (6), LB: Javier Hernandez (6); RM: Ivan Alejo (6), CM: Ruben Alcaraz (6), CM: Federico San Emeterio (5), LM: Alex Fernandez (6); CF: Christopher Ramos (6), CF: Roger (5)
SUBS: Ruben Sobrino (5), Darwin Machis (5), Alvaro Negredo (N/A), Jose Mari (N/A), Milutin Osmajic (N/A)
Manager: Sergio Gonzalez (6)