Player Ratings: Barcelona 6-1 Sporting Gijon

Barcelona went top of the La Liga table after comfortably defeating Sporting Gijon 6-1 at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, and will stay there for the time being as Real Madrid dropped two points against Las Palmas two hours after the win which means they’re now officially one point ahead of their rivals although Zinedine Zidane’s man have a game in hand.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar, Paco Alcácer and Ivan Rakitic were all on target for Barça in a night of free flowing football as they continue to fight for their third consecutive league crown. Here’s how the players fared in the game.

MARC–ANDRÉ TER STEGEN – 6.0
Has been in great form recently but didn’t have much to do on the night. Goal conceded wasn’t his fault, did well to prevent Sporting’s second, passing was great and he enjoyed watching the game in the second half.

JAVIER MASCHERANO – 7.5
Struggled with marking Sporting attackers on occasions, was turned inside-out for the goal but still had a good game.. Led the backline really well and in the end, got his first ever league assist for Barça after feeding Messi for the opener..

SAMUEL UMTITI – 6.0
Didn’t do really much, especially in defence… Could’ve done better to prevent Sporting’s goal as he literally just watched them score..

JORDI ALBA – 7.0
Weird position for him as he played the leg centre back position which stopped him from attacking as he usually does at left-back… He did really well and always showed enthusiasm when called upon.. Hit the post too.

SERGIO BUSQUETS – 6.5
A mixed game from the player who played his normal pivot role.. Lacked sharpness and concentration as he misplaced some passes inexplicably.. Had some good moments too but overall not a bad game.

IVAN RAKITIC – 7.0
Didn’t do much attacking for the majority of the game but still gave Barça that solidity in midfield that they so much needed against PSG.. Worked hard and got his reward with a goal late on.. A bullet.

DENIS SUÁREZ – 6.5
Was given the start over Iniesta and André Gomes and he did well although wasn’t spectacular…

LIONEL MESSI – 8.5
Dominated the game without stress, opened the scoring, hit the post with a clever free-kick and assisted Paco Alcácer for his goal… Created a lot of chances aside from the assist.. Was rested as he was substituted in the second half.

RAFINHA ALCÁNTARA – 6.0
Now seems to be one of Luis Enrique’s favourites, started on the wing and had a fair game.. But you could see the hunger in his eyes.

LUIS SUÁREZ – 7.5
Rugged game from the Uruguayan who didn’t let the Sporting Gijon defence rest for a minute.. Scored from a wonderful volley after engineering the Sporting Gijon own goal.. Substituted at halftime to get rest.

NEYMAR – 8.0
Lively as always, and fluid although he lost a couple of balls.. Almost netted a solo goal which was saved by Cueller but he got his revenge in the second half with a superb free kick to get his first league goal at Camp Nou this season.

SUBSTITUTES…

PACO ALCÁCER – 7.0
Scored after coming on for Luis Suarez at half-time, a relief for him..

ANDRÉ GOMES – 6.0
Came on in the second half and didn’t do too much, although have his team a little bit of control in midfield.

SERGI ROBERTO – 6.5
Replaced Messi, got an assist for Ivan Rakitic’s goal.

LUIS ENRIQUE – 8.5
Weird lineup but it worked, Barça played well and scored goals… And he gave the key players a rest… Good move from the boss who will be stepping down at the end of the season.

THE TEAM: 9.0
This was more of a team win than individual brilliance, something we’ve had a shortage of this season.. God to see something improving..