Tonight marks the beginning of Barcelona’s 23/24 Champions League campaign against Royal Antwerp. This comes after Barcelona suffered consecutive heartbreaks in Europe for the past two years.

After an outstanding performance against Real Betis, the Catalans continued their dominant play on the first matchday of the group stages and got off to a fantastic start with a resounding 5-0 win against the Belgians. This victory followed the Catalans’ amazing performance against Real Betis.

The first half was an exhibition of the kind of fluid, attacking football that supporters of Barcelona have been wanting and praying to see from their team over the course of the last few years.

Their Champions League season could not have gotten off to a better start, but they must not lose concentration because their campaign from the previous year also started off well but eventually went off the rails.

To increase their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the competition, the Catalans need to maintain their current level of play.

Under the magnifying glass, each player’s individual performance from the start of their European season is presented below.

7 out of 10 for Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Although he was virtually untested for the majority of the game, he handled whatever came his way with composure. Despite this, he maintained control of his box and distributed the ball well from the back.

8.5 out of ten for Joao Cancelo

Cancelo maintained the level of play he showed in the previous game against Real Betis in his 50th Champions League appearance. He played almost solely as an additional midfielder rather than as a right back, and he posed a constant danger moving forward while also being always on hand to track back.

He was victorious in six duels, finished 84 out of 86 possible passes, and, in general, he was present everywhere.

8 out of 10 for Jules Kounde

Another performance of the highest caliber from the Frenchman playing center back. Recovered brilliantly when it was necessary and successfully held Vincent Janssen at bay while also sweeping up a few of counterattacks extremely nicely.

To be avoided. (Image courtesy of Getty Images and Alex Caparros)

7.50 out of 10 for Andreas Christensen

Maintained his outstanding partnership with Kounde while he marshaled his side of the defense and did not allow anything to get by him.

Even was able to make some progress forward in the second half despite the Catalans maintaining their comfortable advantage from the first half.

7 out of 10 for Alejandro Balde

Continued to demonstrate his attacking danger by bombing repeatedly down the left flank and making full use of his recovery pace to impede the Antwerp attack when called upon; nevertheless, he also left some spaces on the counter, which mercifully were not utilized by the other team.

8 out of 10 for Frenkie de Jong

It is a pleasure to watch De Jong play at his absolute best, and his recent form has been nothing short of exquisite, as he once again moved the ball forward with the customary grace that has become his trademark.

His ability to distribute the ball was also on full show, as he split through the defense of Antwerp with a brilliant through ball to Joao Felix, which eventually led to Barcelona scoring their second goal of the match.

8 out of 10 for Ilky Gundogan

Gundogan, who came in to replace an in-form Oriol Romeu in the midfield, did an excellent job of keeping things moving in the middle of the field. He was also a pivotal player in the one-touch passing move that resulted in Felix scoring the game’s first goal.

Gavi: 8/10

Gavi’s level of enthusiasm has never wavered, and he showed it by harassing the Antwerp players in the attacking press and driving the ball well. However, he was shown a yellow card for his efforts, which is becoming increasingly routine.

Added the cherry on top of an outstanding performance by rifling a left-footed strike into the back of the net ten minutes into the second half to make it 4-0.

Prince Charming. (Image by JOSEP LAGO/AFP and made available by Getty Images)

8 out of 10 for Raphinha

Raphinha made his first appearance in the starting lineup since the season opener against Getafe. In his first game back in the starting lineup, he showed off all of his tricks and flicks, had confidence in taking on his opponent, and also maintained his poise in the box before throwing in the cross that led to the third goal.

In addition to that, he assisted Joao Felix with the fifth and final goal of the night by putting in a magnificent cross that set up the play. Tonight, the Brazilian displayed his full range of abilities to the audience.

8 out of 10 for Robert Lewandowski

Following yet another fruitful performance, the veteran striker notched his 100th goal in UEFA club competitions as well as his 92nd in the Champions League.

After being set free by Felix, the Pole kept making dangerous runs and getting into striker’s positions. His run at the back post for his goal is the perfect example of this.

9 out of 10 for Joao Felix

Felix’s terrific energy allowed him to put in some excellent recovery tackles, demonstrate some wonderful close control, and link up play in a way that was completely seamless. This kept the momentum going from the league game that they played against Betis the previous weekend.

After a fantastic and brisk passing move, in the 11th minute, he opened the scoring with a clean strike, which got his teammates into the game in an effective manner.

And then to put the icing on the cake, he topped it off in the second half by scoring his third goal in as many games with a ripping run and a header at the back post.

ACTS AS SUBSTITUTES

5.55 out of 10 for Lamine Yamal

Became the youngest player in the history of Barcelona to make his debut in a Champions League game, displayed the ability to get into favorable positions, and both could have and definitely should have scored on two separate occasions.

The target is getting closer… (Image by JOSEP LAGO/AFP and made available by Getty Images)

7 out of 10 from Oriol Romeu

It was a difficult decision to put Romeu on the bench given the form he has been in recently, but he responded admirably when he was given the opportunity in the second half, providing defensive stability and keeping things straightforward when he had the ball at his feet.

6 out of 10 for Fermin Lopez

The midfielder produced a strong showing in his first Champions League game, maintaining the team’s forward momentum and even attempting a couple shots from long range.

6 out of 10 for Sergio Roberto

continued to press forward and made an effort to maintain Barcelona’s attacking momentum, while without making many mistakes in the process.

6 out of 10 for Ferran Torres

“The shark” turned in a strong performance, moving into advantageous positions and carrying out his attacks with aplomb.