It’s advantage Barcelona after the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Valencia as Luis Suarez headed home from Lionel Messi’s cross in the second half.
Despite their dominance at the Nou Camp, Barca could not find a second that may well have killed the tie off before they head to the Mestalla next Thursday.
The hosts were not at their marauding best but Samuel Umtiti shone at the back – a huge plus with the Champions League just around the corner.
Opposite number Ruben Vezo was a pillar of strength for Valencia, as thanks to him his side remain in with a chance of reaching the final. Check out the complete ratings below …
BARCA RATINGS
Cillessen 6. Had literally nothing to do in the first half against extremely cautious Valencia, but made a decent low stop from Parejo early in the second. Nearly got caught out of position late on but made amends with a good challenge.
Roberto 6. Always tried to push forward down the right to combine with Vidal, but with little real success. Booked for a clumsy high tackle on Pereira.
Pique 7. Commanding in the air and confident with the ball at his feet, helping his team preserve a clean sheet with comfort.
Umtiti 8. Flawless and fearless, brushing aside Valencia’s attackers with the most dismissive ease and winning everything that came near him. Must be already among the world’s best centre backs.
Alba 7. Motored up and down the left wing, always available as an attacking outlet. Always connected well with Iniesta and Messi and did his defensive work when he had to.
Vidal 5. Surprise selection on the right flank, often pushing up to become a third forward. Often let down by his final ball, and was replaced by Coutinho before the hour mark.
Rakitic 6. Made some well-timed runs into the box and was prominent in the first half with good use of possession. Faded after the break and was replaced by Paulinho.
Busquets 7. Cruised through the action in complete command of his zone in midfield, making the task of maintaining possession look exceptionally simple.
Iniesta 7. Oozed class on the left of midfield, and created a rare first half highlight with a dangerous ball across the face of goal. Combined with Messi in the build-up to the opener before being replaced.
Messi 7. Prodded and probed in an attempt to prise open Valencia’s packed defence, driving an angled strike into the side-netting early in the second half. Curled a free-kick too close to Jaume, then dinked a beautiful cross for Suarez’s opener. Not at his best but still better than most.
Suarez 7. Chased and harried but had little opportunity to threaten goal in the opening period except curling an ambitious left-footed shot well wide. Kept on persisting and made no mistake with a thumping header for the first goal.
SUBS
Coutinho 7. Valverde’s first change from the bench, and showed some lovely touches on the left of midfield. Forced a good low save with a dipping 20-yard strike.
Paulinho 6. Added extra power into midfield for the final stages but often lacked finesse.
Alcacer 6. The third and final change, brought on to face his former club for the last 20 minutes, going into a right-sided attacking position. Fired as dangerous 25-yard shot which Jaume tipped over.
🙌 What a performance from @samumtiti! 🙌https://t.co/q4C0dEbESm
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 2, 2018
VALENCIA RATINGS
Jaume 6. Well protected by his team’s fully stocked defence and had little to do in the first half. Had little chance with the opener and made a couple of decent stops. Distribution suspect.
Montoya 5. Former Barca man had Valencia’s only first-half shot with a left-footed snapshot that fizzed wide. Seriously tested in defence, with most of Barca’s attacks coming down his flank.
Gabriel 7. Solid enough other than being beaten by Messi in the dribble that led to the opener.
Vezo 8. Showed good anticipation and concentration to break up several Barca attacks, and was perhaps the major reason for Valencia keeping the deficit to just one goal.
Gaya 7. Couldn’t show his attacking ability as Valencia focused firmly on defence, and he did that job well against Vidal and Roberto.
Soler 5. More than out-matched by Alba and Iniesta, and booked for a foul on the latter. Replaced with 15 minutes left after an evening of chasing shadows.
Parejo 6. Valencia’s skipper and playmaker was crowded out in the first half but became more involved in the second, forcing a low save from Cillessen from long range.
Coquelin 6. Discipline and unfussy in the centre of midfield. Sent a dipping volley narrowly over the top in a rare attacking flurry.
Pereira 5. Cautioned after dangerously upending Messi and fouled heavily by Roberto. Did little else before being replaced at the break, probably as a result of Roberto’s challenge.
Vietto 5. At times sharp and lively in the limited Valencia attack, offering good movement, but his use of the ball was often poor.
Rodrigo 5. Barely touched the ball in the attacking third but did a diligent defensive job before being replaced by Mina.
SUBS
Maksimovic 6. Came on for the second half and did a solid job on the left of midfield, without offering anything going forward.
Ferran 5. Little opportunity to impress after appearing from the bench.
Mina 5. Came on for the last few minutes and headed a half-chance well over.
