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| Barça 1-1 Atleti – Player Ratings |
FC Barcelona couldn’t bring down a defensively sound Atletico Madrid side as both teams played out a 1-1 draw at the Camp Nou in their fifth game of the 2016/2017 La Liga season on Wednesday night.
After Real Madrid dropped their first point of the season playing out a 1-1- draw against Villarreal, Barça were looking to close the gap on their rivals against Diego Simeone’s men but could not as Angel Correa second half strike cancelled out Ivan Rakitic’s 41st minute header, meaning Barça have now dropped 5 points in their last three games in La Liga.
The game was more soured by the news that Lionel Messi will be out for three weeks and Sergio Busquets was also brought off although his injury is nothing serious. The positive is that Barça played well in the game but Atletico Madrid didn’t switch off in defence, the Catalans are now in third position on the log, one point behind second place Sevilla and 3 behind leaders Real Madrid. Here are how the Barça players fared in the game.
PLAYER RATINGS: BARCELONA 1-1 ATLETICO MADRID
MARC ANDRE TER STEGEN – 7.5
Was left stranded for the Correa goal as his defenders let him down, otherwise he was magnificent, made three astonishing saves with the last one in the dying stages, an acrobatic save to deny Diego Godin. Was also good with his feet as usual.
SERGI ROBERTO – 8.5
It’s already clear he’s registered his name as starting right back and he showed he can also do well in the big games with a wonderful performance against Atleti. Was composed and played with great authority. Wasn’t shy going forward although he was sometimes late tracking back. A very good game.
GERARD PIQUE – 9.0
Was nutmegged for the goal unconsciously, hardly his fault. Pique was on fire in the game. Exceptional. His intelligence helped him a lot and he made series of good decision in defence with the highlight being his back-to-back sliding tackles around the 70th minute. Almost won the game for Barça with a header late on that went just inches wide.
JAVIER MASCHERANO – 7.0
Would’ve gotten a higher rating had he not been at fault for the goal Barça conceded, he slipped when he was the only defender left to mark Correa. Apart from the mistake he was quite magnificent in his defending and passing. Unlucky game.
JORDI ALBA – 7.0
Could’ve won it for Barça but had his shot fired over the bar during the dying stages of the game. Was electric charging forward, played with great pace and commitment. Far from a bad game, in fact, he had a good game.
IVAN RAKITIC – 8.5
Opened the scoring for Barça with a beautiful header that left Oblak stranded. His work rate was sublime and he made some very intelligent decisions in little spaces.. his link-up play was also great and he looked to understand Atletico Madrid’s game more than anyone else.. great game.
SERGIO BUSQUETS – 7.0
Controlled the fluidity of the game by bossing his area while present.. battled with flu and was later subbed off early on in the second half for Andre Gomes.
ANDRES INIESTA – 9.5
A perfect game for the midfielder, easily man of the match. Was the talisman in both attack and defence, controlled the midfield with ease and made a lot of great defensive actions. His great pass assisted Rakitic for Barça’s goal.. his best performance this season.
LIONEL MESSI – 7.0
Was crowded every time he came close to having the ball but somehow made the most of the tiniest of spaces he got. Tested Oblak with a promising shot in the first half. Played more as a number 10 and really dictated the game’s flow on the left.. all ended in a tragedy as he was brought off for Arda Turan as a result of a groin injury.. will miss three weeks.
LUIS SUAREZ – 6.5
Was never going to see much of the ball against Atletico Madrid’s coordinated and strong defence but his fighting spirit made him get more involved in the second half.. all he wanted was a chance and Atleti didn’t allow him to see one. Not his best game overall, understandable.
NEYMAR – 8.0
Was Barça’s most lively player in attack especially after Messi left. Drew some bookings and tested Oblak twice, almost set up Pique for the winner. Played with great swagger and dominated in his area. Has been good this season.
SUBSTITUTES…
ANDRE GOMES – 6.0
Replaced Busquets early on in the second half and really didn’t do anything bad.. tried his best but still needs to adapt fully for that defensive midfield role.
ARDA TURAN – 6.0
Replaced Lionel Messi and also didn’t do anything bad. Started an attack that could’ve led to a goal for Neymar.
LUIS ENRIQUE: 7.5
Did well instructing his team but could’ve done better bringing on one more attacking threat.
TEAM: 8.0
Despite the result, Barça played well and it’s a huge positive. Atleti was sound defensively and Barça would’ve beaten anything 4-0 playing like they did against the Madrid side. Good game.
