Rashford Breaks Goal Drought as Barcelona Demolishes Daegu FC 5-0: Player Ratings Inside
Barcelona wrapped up their Asian tour with yet another triumph, delivering a commanding 5–0 demolition of Daegu FC.
Manager Hansi Flick decided to give 17-year-old Pedro Fernández a starting role on Monday, as Barcelona initially struggled to break down their struggling opponents.
Daegu find themselves at the foot of the K-League table after going winless in their last 12 matches. Despite this poor form, they nearly took the lead just moments before Gavi opened the scoring for the Catalans.
Barcelona's high defensive line was exposed by a brilliant crossfield pass and quick interchange, with the resulting delivery evading Joan García's reach and presenting Geovani with a golden opportunity, which he somehow squandered from close range.
The Blaugrana immediately punished the Brazilian's miss through Gavi's left-footed strike, and the La Liga titleholders dominated the remainder of the opening period. Flick's team were ruthless in their pursuit of control, gradually dismantling a defensive structure that became increasingly vulnerable.
Raphinha ought to have converted Lamine Yamal's delivery before Robert Lewandowski finished off Gerard Martín's cross into the penalty area. Gavi completed the first-half scoring by chipping Barcelona's third goal over the advancing keeper. The Spanish playmaker has impressed throughout this Asian preseason campaign.
Eleven substitutions at halftime and torrential rain failed to halt the Catalan giants' attacking momentum, with 18-year-old forward Toni Fernández netting his maiden goal for the club ten minutes into the second half. The youth product finished expertly after being played through by Dani Olmo.
The contest had lost all competitive edge by the time Marcus Rashford found the target, as the English winger coolly converted another fluid attacking sequence past the hour mark.
The match remained completely one-sided until the final whistle, with Daegu unable to trouble the Blaugrana following Geovani's early miss. Nevertheless, Barcelona couldn't extend their advantage during the closing 25 minutes, and there may be some worry regarding the late injury sustained by Pau Cubarsí.
Barcelona Player Ratings vs. Daegu FC (4-2-3-1)
*Ratings Provided by FotMob*
Position / Player | Ratings (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
GK: Joan García | 5.8 |
RB: Jules Koundé | 7.6 |
CB: Ronald Araújo | 6.8 |
CB: Gerard Martín | 8.0 |
LB: Alejandro Balde | 7.2 |
CM: Gavi | 8.9 |
CM: Frenkie de Jong | 7.2 |
RW: Lamine Yamal | 8.6 |
AM: Pedro Fernández | 7.0 |
LW: Raphinha | 7.2 |
ST: Robert Lewandowski | 7.9 |
SUB: Wojciech Szczęsny (46' for García) | 6.7 |
SUB: Eric García (46' for Koundé) | 7.9 |
SUB: Andreas Christensen (46' for Araújo) | N/A |
SUB: Pau Cubarsí (46' for Martín) | 7.2 |
SUB: Jofre Torrents (46' for Balde) | N/A |
SUB: Dani Olmo (46' for Fernández) | 7.6 |
SUB: Pedri (46' for Gavi) | N/A |
SUB: Marc Casadó (46' for De Jong) | N/A |
SUB: Toni Fernández (46' for Lewandowski) | N/A |
SUB: Marcus Rashford (46' for Raphinha) | N/A |
SUB: Roony Bardghji (46' for Yamal) | N/A |
SUB: Diego Kochen (74' for Szczęsny) | 6.3 |
SUB: Héctor Fort (88' for Cubarsí) | N/A |
Subs not used: Iñaki Peña (GK), Ferran Torres, Guille Fernández.
Player of the Match: Gavi