Champions League player ratings: Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta – Ederson and Pasalic on target – Football Italia – January 29 latest

Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona scores his team’s second goal with a header during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Barcelona and Atalanta BC at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on January 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Atalanta put in a brave performance to record a 2-2 draw away against Barcelona in their first ever match against the Blaugrana, which rounded off an impressive start to the 2024-25 Champions League campaign for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. 

Here are the player ratings from an entertaining evening for the neutral in Catalonia. 

You can also see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Atalanta ratings 

Carnesecchi 6 – Despite conceding twice, it was not a terrible evening for the promising Italian stopper. He still had some important saves to make, and there wasn’t too much he could have done to prevent either of Barcelona’s goals. 

Djimsiti 5 – Beaten on pace by Raphina in the build-up to Barcelona’s opener, which allowed the Brazilian to provide the perfect ball in for Yamal. Got a crucial foot to Lewandowski’s shot an hour in to prevent Barca from going 2-0 up, though.  

Hien 6 – Lamine Yamal made his life difficult in the first-half. The youngster sat him down at one point, but that didn’t stop him from having a relatively decent performance afterwards. 

Kolasinac 5.5 – Made a pair of important interventions early on in the second half, but the game got more difficult for him as it went on and was eventually replaced by Giorgio Scalvini 10 minutes into the second half. . 

Bellanova 6 – Caught quite high up the pitch for Barcelona’s opener, which left Djimsiti to deal with Raphinha on his own. 

De Roon 6.5 – A typical performance from the Atalanta captain, who does so much to keep this Dea team ticking. An excellent ball lin for Pasalic’s goal as well. 

Ederson 7.5 – The scorer of Atalanta’s first goal in their first ever game against Barcelona. A really well-taken effort as well, rifled past Szczesny and into the corner of the net from the edge of the area. 

Zappacosta 7 – Made an excellent run and cross which almost had Atalanta ahead 10 minutes in. Unfortunate not to have scored his first Champions League goal of the campaign in the first half. He was in the right place and so nearly at the right time, but a fraction of his thigh was offside. 

Pasalic 7 – A very well taken goal to claim Atalanta’s second equaliser of the night. An excellent touch to bring it down and a very well-taken finish to slot it under Szczesny’s legs. 

De Ketelaere 6.5 – Whether he meant it or not, he almost provided a wonderful assist for Zappacosta for 1-0 had his teammate not been ruled out for offside. 

Retegui 6 – Almost managed to catch the Barca back-line out early on, requiring a diving save from Szczesny. Never stopped running, even though opportunities didn’t come particularly easily for him. 

Barcelona ratings 

Szczesny 6.5; Kounde 6.5, Araujo 7.5, Garcia 6, Balde 6; De Jong 6, Gavi 6.5, Pedri 6; Yamal 7.5, Lewandowski 5.5, Raphina 7.5.