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| Valencia 2-3 Barça – Player Ratings |
FC Barcelona didn't find it easy at the Mestalla just as expected as they needed a last minute penalty goal to beat Valencia 3-2 in a controversial encounter on Saturday evening.
Lionel Messi grabbed a brace, one goal to give Barça the lead and the last goal to give Barça the win while Luis Suárez scored the other Barça goal. The Catalans are now temporarily top of the table, here is how the team fared in the game against Valencia.
VALENCIA 2-3 BARÇA – PLAYER RATINGS
MARC ANDRE TER STEGEN – 6.5
His passing was great and his save to deny Dani Parejo in a one-on-one situation kept Barça going. Didn't have a fault in both Valencia goals as they were perfect strikes.
His passing was great and his save to deny Dani Parejo in a one-on-one situation kept Barça going. Didn't have a fault in both Valencia goals as they were perfect strikes.
SERGI ROBERTO – 6.5
Returned from injury and played a good game. Valencia didn't use his flank in attacks as he concentrated while. Was a bit rigid in attack.
Returned from injury and played a good game. Valencia didn't use his flank in attacks as he concentrated while. Was a bit rigid in attack.
JAVIER MASCHERANO – 7.0
A solid game from the defender.. helped win the ball back on numerous occasions with great interceptions when the other Barça players didn't mark. Struggled at times to curb Valencia's pace in attack.
A solid game from the defender.. helped win the ball back on numerous occasions with great interceptions when the other Barça players didn't mark. Struggled at times to curb Valencia's pace in attack.
SAMUEL UMTITI – 7.5
A great game overall.. won a lot of aerial duels and worked hard to prevent Valencia going forward. Lucky to get away unpunished after a push on Rodrigo in the box. Far from a bad game.
A great game overall.. won a lot of aerial duels and worked hard to prevent Valencia going forward. Lucky to get away unpunished after a push on Rodrigo in the box. Far from a bad game.
LUCAS DIGNE – 5.5
The fullback deputised in place of the injured Jordi Alba and he made Barça miss Alba as he struggled on the left, troubled every time by Cancelo where he always lost the duels. Made some good last minute tackles to help his side.
The fullback deputised in place of the injured Jordi Alba and he made Barça miss Alba as he struggled on the left, troubled every time by Cancelo where he always lost the duels. Made some good last minute tackles to help his side.
ANDRÉ GOMES – 4.5
Started well but then lost concentration as the game went on. Had a fault in both goals Barça conceded as he gave away the ball for the first and destroyed Barça's offside trap to leave the defence vulnerable for the second. Not a good game in his return to the Mestalla, subbed off for Denis Suarez in the second half.
Started well but then lost concentration as the game went on. Had a fault in both goals Barça conceded as he gave away the ball for the first and destroyed Barça's offside trap to leave the defence vulnerable for the second. Not a good game in his return to the Mestalla, subbed off for Denis Suarez in the second half.
SERGIO BUSQUETS – 5.0
Just when we thought he had returned to his best after a good game against Man City, Busquets didn't do well against Valencia, giving the ball away on so many occasions and couldn't cope with Valencia's pace. Booked for a weak pull back in the first half and was lucky to escape the second yellow.
Just when we thought he had returned to his best after a good game against Man City, Busquets didn't do well against Valencia, giving the ball away on so many occasions and couldn't cope with Valencia's pace. Booked for a weak pull back in the first half and was lucky to escape the second yellow.
ANDRÉS INIESTA – 6.5
Played only 10 minutes but was already showing himself as the best in the world as he looked very lively. It all ended in a tragedy as a tackle by Enzo Pérez got him injured and he was subbed off after 14 minutes for Ivan Rakitic. Will miss 6-8 weeks.
Played only 10 minutes but was already showing himself as the best in the world as he looked very lively. It all ended in a tragedy as a tackle by Enzo Pérez got him injured and he was subbed off after 14 minutes for Ivan Rakitic. Will miss 6-8 weeks.
LIONEL MESSI – 8.0
Not his best game as he was covered and crowded by a determined Valencia defence. Rarely got the ball but utilised it the few times he did. Gave Barça the lead with a great shot and scored the winner from the spot to win the game for Barça with the last kick.
Not his best game as he was covered and crowded by a determined Valencia defence. Rarely got the ball but utilised it the few times he did. Gave Barça the lead with a great shot and scored the winner from the spot to win the game for Barça with the last kick.
LUIS SUÁREZ – 7.0
Missed two great chances to increase Barça's lead but paid it back with a beautiful left-footed drive to equalise for Barça, making it 2-2. Sent a header wide but won the penalty that gave Barça the win. Worked very hard all game as always.
Missed two great chances to increase Barça's lead but paid it back with a beautiful left-footed drive to equalise for Barça, making it 2-2. Sent a header wide but won the penalty that gave Barça the win. Worked very hard all game as always.
NEYMAR – 7.5
Having a great season so far as he looks far consistent than he was last season. His great pass to Suárez was the highlight of the game but the Uruguayan failed to convert. Forced a save from Diego Alves that presented Rakitic with a clear chance but the Croatian missed. Always looked for spaces impressively with his dribbling, good link up with Messi helped win the penalty. Great game.
Having a great season so far as he looks far consistent than he was last season. His great pass to Suárez was the highlight of the game but the Uruguayan failed to convert. Forced a save from Diego Alves that presented Rakitic with a clear chance but the Croatian missed. Always looked for spaces impressively with his dribbling, good link up with Messi helped win the penalty. Great game.
SUBSTITUTES…
IVAN RAKITIC – 7.5
Came on for Andrés Iniesta and had a very good game. Barça would've lost without him as his energy proved crucial. Missed a sitter but still had a good game. Assisted Messi's opener and his saved header presented Suárez with the chance to get the equalizer. Good game.
Came on for Andrés Iniesta and had a very good game. Barça would've lost without him as his energy proved crucial. Missed a sitter but still had a good game. Assisted Messi's opener and his saved header presented Suárez with the chance to get the equalizer. Good game.
DENIS SUÁREZ – 6.0
Added a bit of creativity to the game when brought on for André Gomes for the final minutes of the game but found it so difficult to beat Abdennour. A fair game.
Added a bit of creativity to the game when brought on for André Gomes for the final minutes of the game but found it so difficult to beat Abdennour. A fair game.
LUIS ENRIQUE – 6.5
Got the lineup right and did well to call Messi to the midfield to get involved more. Can't say much about the tactics and inspiration.
Got the lineup right and did well to call Messi to the midfield to get involved more. Can't say much about the tactics and inspiration.
THE TEAM – 7.5
They started well, created a lot of chances that were missed by individuals.. they kept on fighting for the game despite the fact that just a few seconds was left. Great team win.
They started well, created a lot of chances that were missed by individuals.. they kept on fighting for the game despite the fact that just a few seconds was left. Great team win.
