Lionel Messi scores a 9 while there are four 8s as Barcelona hammer Huesca

BARCELONA

Ter Stegen 6: Maybe could have come off his line more quickly for Huesca’s two goals but that’s being harsh. Solid overall.

Roberto 6: The least incisive of Barca’s players coming forward, but he worked hard and always made himself available on the overlap.

Pique 7: Generally commanding in the heart of defence despite facing strong pressure and came close to scoring a couple of times.

Umtiti 5: Beaten for the second goal and looked uncomfortable against Huesca’s attacking approach. Limped off midway through the second half, probably not serious.

Alba 8: Hard-charging performance, constantly penetrating Huesca’s penalty area. Registered two assists and finished off a strong show with a well-taken goal.

Rakitic 7: Got into advanced positions from early on, forcing a good save with a long-range strike and arrowing home a fine finish for the fifth.

Busquets 7: Helped Barca take control in the first half with his perceptive passing ability. Less influence after the break and was substituted.

Coutinho 8: Showed twinkle toes to regularly create danger, especially for a back-heeled one-two with Alba and a great assist for Messi.

Messi 9: Scored twice including the key equaliser, crashed another shot against the bar, delivered great assists to Rakitic and Alba. What more to say?

Suarez 8: Much brighter, getting a badly-needed first goal of the season with a crisp near-post finish. Also netted a penalty and assisted Dembele.

Dembele 8: Some loose touches but always menacing with his creative spark. Great pass to Alba for the second goal and a firm finish for the fourth.

SUBS:

Lenglet 6: Came into the centre of defence and was barely tested as Huesca ran out of steam, but looked comfortable enough.

Vidal 6: Generally tidy after being introduced for Rakitic midway through the second half, but earned a yellow card for a crunching foul on Avila.

Arthur 6: Kept things simple in the centre of the field after relieving Busquets, doing a fetching and carrying job with calm control.

HUESCA

Werner 5: Strangely played alright despite conceding eight, making good saves from Rakitic, Messi and Coutinho.

Miramon 5: Got forward well at times including an excellent cross for the early opener, but really struggled defensively against Alba.

Pulido 5: Tigerish no-nonsense defending from the old school, getting close to his opponents, but scored a silly own goal to send Barca ahead.

Etxeita 3: Really struggled to contain Suarez and looked the weak link in the visiting defence, although the team’s wide open structure didn’t help.

Luisinho 4: Badly beaten by Messi for the equaliser and didn’t improve from there. Offered little going forward and repeatedly exposed defensively.

Gallar 4: Sharp finish for Huesca’s second goal but struggled to have much of an impact on the right flank and was substituted.

Musto 3: Physical midfielder who had the job of protecting his back four but the scoreline suggests he failed. Booked for bundling over Alba.

Melero 7: The pick of the visiting team. Busy and precise on the ball and tenacious in the tackle, but regularly overwhelmed by Barca’s attacks.

Gomez 5: Started on the left wing and finished more centrally. Delivered a smart flicked cross for the second goal and tried to be progressive.

Longo 6: Headed down well for the opener and was a dangerous target man before the visitors ran out of steam and he was substituted.

Hernandez 6: Produced a deft finish for Huesca’s early goal and worked hard, but his decision making was sometimes suspect. Replaced near the end.

SUBS:

Gurler 5: Came on as a left winger but his team was well beaten by that stage and he couldn’t make an impression.

Semedo 5: Reinforcement to the centre of defence for the final 25 minutes and made some good interventions but had a tough task.

Avila 5: The scorer of a remarkable late equaliser at Athletic Bilbao last week but he couldn’t reproduce those heroics this time, offering little.