Barcelona ratings vs Valladolid: Lewandowski 9, Dembele 8, Kounde 7

Lewandowski nets another brace as Barca run out 4-0 winners

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  BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7 - Quiet evening in a game which Barcelona dominated – though he roared when Kounde stopped a sure goal on 70 minutes – after Ter Stegen had made a save himself. A clean sheet and already looking better than last season with a better defence in front of him. EPA

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  Alejandro Balde 8 - Now appears to be the first choice left-back – and on tonight’s showing, justified. “Balde deserves to play,” said his boss Xavi. “I’m so happy for him. Physically he is very strong, he can dribble, he has great offensive ability, he helps us a lot, a spectacular boy.” Getty Images

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  Ronald Araujo 7 – Deployed as a central defender rather than right-back and a large roar went out when he won the ball from Valladolid striker Guardiola on 40 minutes. AP Photo

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  Eric Garcia 8 - Played central defender while the old (and expensive) guard of Pique and Alba sat on the bench. Very comfortable. AP Photo

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  Jules Kounde 7 - Made his debut in an unfamiliar position of right-back. Didn’t put a foot wrong and made a block on the line to prevent a Valladolid goal. Getty Images

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  Sergio Busquets 7 - Played the ball around the midfield to Dembele, who took an early shot. With Pique and Alba unused on the bench, his experience was vital to the young players around him. EPA

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  Pedri 8 - Set up Dembele for his 20th minute effort which hit the bar, then received the ball from the same player after 43 minutes to side foot Barça into a 2-0 lead. Getting back into playing every game. Getty Images

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  Gavi 7 - Curled a ball forward to set up Raphinha on 19 minutes and another towards Lewandowski on 35. Played with the security of a side who took an early lead and controlled the game. AFP

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  Raphinha 8 - Played wide right at the start (then switched wings) and had the vast 83,972 crowd off their seats running at players and beating them. Whipped a cross in for Lewandowksi to head against the bar early on, then shot on target himself after 19 before again spinning a ball across goal which Lewandowski met to put Barça ahead. Getty Images

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  Robert Lewandowski 9 - Early header off the post, then put his side ahead after 24, sliding in studs first to meet a Raphinha cross. Slid the third in after 63 – with his heel. Incredible goal. He’s settled on the big stage in a new country immediately, with fans singing his name. Getty Images

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  Ousmane Dembele 8 - Smashed the crossbar on 20 minutes, then cut across the area before shooting with his left foot on 36. Switched to the right and set up Pedri for the second. Set up Lewandowski for the third. Looks focussed and effective. Huge applause when he was substituted. Getty Images

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  SUBS: Sergi Roberto 7 - On for Araujo after 60. Scored the fourth in the 91st minute. AFP

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  Ansu Fati 6 - On for Raphinha after 60. Almost always makes a difference, be it by scoring or assisting. Beat two players on 70 to shoot on goal. Getty Images

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  Frenkie de Jong 6 - On for Gavi after 60. The player linked with a move away all summer has started this season on the bench, as expected. Getty Images

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  Franck Kessie 6 - On for Busquets after 76, the new midfielder who impressed pre-season. Getty Images

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  Ferran Torres NA - On for Dembele after 86. AFP

Robert Lewandowski scored his second consecutive brace as Barcelona breezed past Real Valladolid with a comfortable 4-0 La Liga victory on Sunday.

It was Barca's second win from three games in the new season and moved them up to third in the table with seven points, two behind leaders Real Madrid and Real Betis.

After enduring a frustrating goalless draw in their opening game of the season against lowly Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona enjoyed a confidence-boosting 4-1 win over Real Sociedad last week, in which Lewandowski got off the mark for the campaign with two goals.

Against Valladolid they maintained the momentum and were finally able to deploy French defender Jules Kounde, who missed the first two games of the season with Barca unable to register him as a player as they struggled to comply with La Liga's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

Kounde played from the start on Sunday and had a solid showing, as Barca dominated the game and never gave Valladolid a chance.

Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele both went close for Barca, hitting the post in the first half, but it did not take long for them to open the scoring, as Lewandowski stroked home from close range from a perfect Raphinha cross to the far post in the 24th minute.

Barcelona extended their lead right before halftime through Pedri, who riffled a curling strike into the top-left corner after a nice pass by Dembele from the right touchline.

Lewandowski scored Barca's third in the 65th minute, with a brilliant back-heel that deflected off a defender before beating goalkeeper Jordi Masip.

The Poland striker had a golden opportunity to complete a hat-trick in added time, but Masip made a great stop to keep out his close range shot.

Substitute Sergi Roberto, however, was in the right place at the right time to strike home the rebound and wrap up the points.