Barcelona player ratings - Messi and Aspas star with 8s as Rakitic shows signs of revival

Aditya Devavrat 19:36 02/12/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Celta Vigo have offered stubborn opposition for Barcelona in recent seasons, with their intensity and attacking ability continually catching Barca off guard, and Saturday was no different as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw.

    Celta were good value for their point, with Iago Aspas getting a goal and an assist to counter Lionel Messi‘s performance for the hosts. The result means Valencia could come to within two points of Barcelona, and Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have the opportunity to cut the gap to six points.

    Here’s how each player fared in the thrilling game.

    BARCELONA

    Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 6/10

    It’s been said at times this season that Barcelona’s goalkeeper has been the team’s second-best player, after Messi. Ter Stegen showed why he’s been getting such hype, making a crucial save at the end to deny Celta a shock win while the initial save with an outstretched right foot in the lead up to Aspas’s goal was otherworldly.

    Sergi Roberto – 7/10

    Although his preferred position is midfielder, Sergi Roberto has been pressed into the right-back slot fairly often in his career, and has performed well there. That versatility adds to his value, both as a Barcelona player and as a transfer target, and he put in another assured performance on Saturday.

    Gerard Pique – 7/10

    It would be hard to say that Barcelona were missing Pique last week, as they played well without him against Valencia and even he would have been hard-pressed to help them weather the Valencia storm in the second half on that game. But on Saturday, he showed why he’s the team’s best defender, displaying much-needed composure and solidity.

    Samuel Umtiti – 6/10

    The Frenchman had another composed game at the back, up until Celta’s second goal. He was beaten too easily and picked up an injury in that move, and could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

    Jordi Alba – 7/10

    A typical Jordi Alba game, where he spent most of his time attacking rather than defending, and it paid off again as he assisted Luis Suarez for the goal that put Barcelona in front. He could’ve done better for Celta’s second goal, where Aspas beat him too easily to get a cross in.

    Ivan Rakitic – 7/10

    Ivan Rakitic has rediscovered his best form this season, after a couple of campaigns in which the Croatian had been underwhelming. On Saturday, he was incisive with his passing and running, providing a useful partner for Messi in launching Barcelona attacks.

    Sergio Busquets – 6/10

    As always, Sergio Busquets had an understated game, keeping his side in shape in his role as Barcelona’s fulcrum. Was nowhere for either Celta goal, which will disappoint him, although there wasn’t much he could have done for either.

    Andres Iniesta – 7/10

    Iniesta hasn’t ever quite had a dip in form, but he’s certainly been playing better over the last few games than he was earlier in the season. On Saturday, he helped Barcelona control the game for large spells of the first half.

    Paulinho – 7/10

    Another all-action display from the summer’s most surprising successful signing. It was Paulinho who provided the assist for Messi’s goal, and the Brazilian should have gotten on the scoresheet himself, passing up a couple of good opportunities in either half.

    Lionel Messi – 8/10

    Messi’s goal drought is over. The Argentine slipped in a neat finish through Ruben Blanco’s legs to draw Barca level after Celta had taken a shock lead, and then started the move that led to the team’s second goal. For any other player, we would call this a brilliant display, but by Messi’s standards this was run-of-the-mill.

    Luis Suarez – 7/10

    Suarez is slowly finding form, and it showed with the way he took his goal to give Barcelona the lead. It was a simple enough finish, but his movement was key. Surprisingly passed up the opportunity to shoot just minutes later, when a slightly more confident Suarez would have backed himself to score.

    Lionel Messi yet again was Barcelona's standout performance.

    Lionel Messi yet again was Barcelona’s standout performer.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Denis Suarez – 6/10

    Suarez linked up well with his midfield, adding impetus to Barcelona’s attack as they chased a winner. Was just unable to provide that telling moment

    Thomas Vermaelen – 6/10

    It’s good for Vermaelen that he’s getting some gametime after his injury struggles, even if Barcelona would prefer that the Belgian’s appearances weren’t a result of an injury or suspension for someone else. Still, he showed what he brings to the table with a solid cameo against Celta.

    Paco Alcacer – 6/10

    Missed a glorious chance to win the game in injury time, heading over the bar from point-blank range from Messi’s cross. Alcacer is brought on to make sure such chances are created and converted, so it was a glaring miss. His general play during his short time on the pitch was ineffective.

    CELTA VIGO

    Ruben Blanco – 7/10

    Looked shaky on occasion dealing with crosses, but otherwise had an impressive outing in which one moment stood out – a stunning save from Lionel Messi’s header in the second half which would have made it 3-1 to Barca. That save went a long way towards earning Celta their draw.

    Daniel Wass – 7/10

    If it weren’t for the star turn of Iago Aspas, Wass’ performance would have earned his team’s man of the match honours. He missed a good chance to put Celta up 2-1 at the end of the first half, but other than that, he was nearly flawless, marauding up and down the right flank.

    Sergi Gomez – N/A

    An unfortunate outing for the young defender, who had to be subbed off just four minutes into the game.

    Andreu Fontas – 6/10

    Fontas had a solid outing at the back, and there wasn’t much he could have done for either Barcelona goal. Celta were simply hypnotised by Barca’s passing for both of those moves – and that’s happened to plenty of defenders before.

    Hugo Mallo – 7/10

    Mallo was a rock at the back, in a game where a performance like that is a must. He picked up a late, avoidable yellow card, but that’s almost to be expected for an all-action defender against Barcelona. Stood up to the likes of Suarez and Messi throughout.

    Brais – 6/10

    The young attacker didn’t seem to be overawed by the occasion, which is a good sign for the future. Brais, who generally plays as an attacking midfielder, was more of a winger on Saturday and didn’t have as much of an impact as he would’ve liked, but avoided any fatal mistakes and offered as much of a threat as he could.

    Stanislav Lobotka – 6/10

    Lobotka had a bright game, providing attacking impetus when he could and showing deft touch in midfield. He carried out his primary responsibility – breaking up Barcelona attacks – as well as he could have been expected.

    Jozabed – 6/10

    Jozabed just about held his own against Barcelona’s midfielders, which is an achievement in itself. Rakitic and Iniesta had one of their best games so far this season, making the Celta midfielder’s job even harder, but he acquitted himself well.

    Pione Sisto – 6/10

    Sisto is capable of being a thorn in the side of any defence, but he didn’t have one of his better games on Saturday. He was wasteful in possession and generally failed to offer a threat – which can happen when you’re an attacking player playing against Barcelona.

    Iago Aspas – 8/10

    A goal and an assist at the home of the mighty Barcelona. Aspas always seems to rise to the occasion, saving his best for Celta’s biggest games, and Saturday was another example.

    Maxi – 7/10

    Maxi’s understanding with Aspas has been crucial to Celta Vigo’s attack this season, and it was on show again at the Nou Camp. Scored a crucial goal to level the scores when Barcelona were threatening to run away with the game.

    Iago Aspas' star turn earned Celta Vigo a draw.

    Iago Aspas’ star turn earned Celta Vigo a draw.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Gustavo Cabral – 7/10

    Pressed into action as an early substitute, Cabral held up well against Barcelona’s attack. There was little he could do with either goal, as Barca’s quick passing bewitched the entire Celta defence both times.

    Facundo Roncaglia – 6/10

    Came on as a substitute and promptly picked up a yellow card with a silly challenge. However, his entrance allowed Wass the freedom to attack even more, which was crucial in helping deal with the Barcelona pressure.

    Pablo Hernandez – N/A

    On as a late substitute, Hernandez had little time to make a telling impact. He made sure Celta’s midfield solidity remained as Barcelona chased a winner.

    Recommended