Barcelona and Athletic Blibao ratings as Lionel Messi scores 8 in scintillating display

Andy West 01:08 29/10/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Lionel Messi and Paulinho hit the target as Barcelona crept past Athletic Bilbao to maintain their four-point lead in LaLiga.

    Messi started and finished a move in the 36th minute to score his 12th league goal of the season, but Barca were flattered by Paulinho’s injury-time tap-in after a hard-fought evening at San Mames.

    Both sides struck the woodwork, Messi and Paulinho for Barca and Raul Garcia for the hosts, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a couple of vital saves to preserve the points.

    Here’s our player ratings…

    ATHLETIC BILBAO

    Kepa 5: Perhaps should have saved Messi’s opener but couldn’t have done much more with the second goal. Distribution was suspect.

    Boveda 6: Found himself penned back by Alba’s runs, especially in the first half, and didn’t make the attacking contribution he would hope.

    Nunez 7: The inexperienced 20 year-old defended with intensity and determination, wholeheartedly throwing himself into challenges and undaunted by facing Suarez.

    Laporte 5: Occasionally looked lethargic and sluggish, not closing down Messi and Suarez quickly enough. Not his best night.

    Lekue 7: A non-stop force of nature down the left flank, worked hard in defence to shackle Messi as much as possible and always willing to join in the attack.

    San Jose 5: Made little impact in midfield before being substituted midway through the second half.

    Iturraspe: Most of Athletic’s attacking play went through the midfielder, who delivered some dangerous balls into the box. Maybe could have done more to track Messi’s run for the opener.

    Williams 5: Disappointing performance from a player whose talent often promises much more than he delivers. One snapshot forced a save from Ter Stegen but was generally lacklustre.

    Garcia 5: Hit the bar from a corner but largely failed to make a significant contribution in the hole behind Aduriz, struggling to threaten Barca’s defence either with creation or direct goal threat.

    Cordoba 5: Eager and energetic, but lacking in quality. Covered a lot of ground but generally wasted the good positions his endeavour created.

    Aduriz 6: Had four chances to score but continually frustrated by Ter Stegen. Really should have buried one opportunity in the first half but never stopped hunting down openings.

    Subs

    Benat 6: Came on for San Jose and offered more control in midfield, but was caught in possession by Roberto for the second goal.

    Susaeta: Late replacement for Williams but barely touched the ball.

    BARCELONA

    Ter Stegen 9: Made two fantastic saves to deny Aduriz, one low to his left to deny a curled strike and the other at his near post from a header from a corner. Outstanding performance.

    Roberto 7: Started at right-back, finished in midfield and performed with his usual commitment and desire. Won the ball to start the move which led to the second goal.

    Pique 6: Occasionally troubled by the physicality of Aduriz and is now starting to look like the junior partner in defence alongside Umtiti.

    Umtiti 9: An impassable human wall. Strong, powerful and composed, dealt with everything that Athletic could throw at him seemingly without even needing to break sweat.

    Alba 7: Good performance in both defence and attack, handling the threat posed by Williams and supplying Messi with a pinpoint assist for the opener.

    Rakitic 6: Flitted in and out of the game on the right of midfield, not his natural position. Had one shot on goal which was easily saved when he should have passed.

    Busquets 7: Unfussy but reliable in the centre of midfield, doing the simple things well and always in the right position to help out his back four.

    Paulinho 7: Hit the bar with a thunderous strike and was always looking to get forward and provide the link between midfield and attack – right until injury time, when he netted the second.

    Gomes 5: Some nice touches but often too hesitant in possession, especially with a couple of shooting chances, and is clearly playing without any confidence.

    Messi 8: Hit the post with a near open goal but soon redeemed himself by netting a superb opener. At the heart of everything, as always, and played a part in the second goal with an unselfish pass.

    Suarez 7: Sometimes isolated in his team’s 4-4-1-1 formation but regularly linked play well and worked very hard in defence. His shot in injury time led to Paulinho netting from the rebound.

    Subs

    Semedo 6: Came on for the final stages at right-back and didn’t let anyone down.

    Recommended