Barcelona 3-1 Borussia Dortmund: Player ratings as Lionel Messi is standout but BVB disappoint

Andy West 02:03 28/11/2019
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  • Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann and Luis Suarez celebrate

    Lionel Messi marked his 700th appearance for Barcelona with yet another masterclass to inspire his team’s 3-1 victory over lacklustre Borussia Dortmund at the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.

    Messi scored one goal and set up the other two for Luis Suarez and substitute Antoine Griezmann in a comfortable win, once again looking head and shoulders above every other player on the pitch – or any other pitch.

    Plenty of Messi’s teammates also enjoyed strong evenings, but that certainly can’t be said for the visiting team.

    Check out how everyone fared with our full player ratings.

    BARCELONA 4-3-3

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7. Made good saves from Brandt and Sancho, and powerless for the latter’s goal. Alert and active.

    Sergi Roberto 7. Energetic display from right-back, regularly breaking the lines of Dortmund’s midfield to spark attacks.

    Samuel Umtiti 7. Replaced Gerard Pique as the right-sided central defender and looked strong against Dortmund’s powder-puff attack.

    Clement Lenglet 7. The epitome of calm at the back, smoothly clearing his lines and working the ball into midfield.

    Junior Firpo 6. Did a decent defensive job against Hakimi and was always willing to get forward, albeit not always accurate.

    Ivan Rakitic 7. Badly misplaced his first pass but soon settled on the right of midfield, contributing fully to his team’s win.

    Sergio Busquets 7. A comfortable day for the veteran, who was allowed time on the ball and pressed the opposition well.

    Frenkie de Jong 7. Led his team’s pressing with a determined display off the ball. Less effective in possession but did his job.

    Lionel Messi 9. Cushioned a perfect pass to Suarez for the opener, fired home the second and created the third for Griezmann.

    Lionel Messi

    Lionel Messi

    Luis Suarez 7. Had a first half goal ruled out for offside but soon netted again legally, also setting up Messi for the second.

    Ousmane Dembele 5. Loudly jeered by Dortmund fans but gave his former fans little to worry about before limping off.

    SUBSTITUTES 

    Antoine Griezmann 7. Replaced Dembele after 25 minutes and delivered a bright display capped with a fine finish for the third.

    Arturo Vidal 6. Came on for Rakitic in the latter stages and kept the ball moving sensibly in midfield.

    Moussa Wague. Strangely introduced in stoppage time to give Suarez roughly 100 seconds of extra rest.

    BORUSSIA DORTMUND 4-4-2

    Roman Burki 6. Never looked assured in the Dortmund goal, although he had no chance with any Barca goal.

    Lukasz Piszczek 5. A rather anonymous performance from the right-back, who was taken off in the latter stages.

    Manuel Akanji 5. Made a great block to deny Rakitic early on but couldn’t clear cleanly in the build-up to Suarez’s opener.

    Mats Hummels 4. Sloppily squandered possession to set up Barca’s second and didn’t offer much leadership at the back.

    Raphael Guerreiro 6. Improved after the break, getting forward to support Sancho. One of his team’s better players.

    Julian Weigl 4. Sprayed some passes as a deep-lying midfielder but didn’t offer enough defensive support to his back four.

    Axel Witsel 3. Failed to impose himself on the game in the centre of the field, offering little with or without the ball.

    BeFunky-collage - 2019-11-28T020025.274

    Achraf Hakimi 5. Taking an advanced right wing role, the Real Madrid loanee did little to enhance his burgeoning reputation.

    Nico Schulz 4. Nearly netted in the opening minute, but looked out of place in unfamiliar wing position and was replaced.

    Julian Brandt 5. Played as a support striker and had a decent chance, but couldn’t convert a low shot from close range.

    Marco Reus 3. Enormously disappointing. Offered no goal threat and was scarcely involved in build-up play.

    SUBSTITUTES 

    Jadon Sancho 7. Provided a spark, giving Dortmund a consolation with a fine rising drive and also hitting the bar.

    Dan-Axel Zagadou 6. Came on at right-back for the final 15 minutes when the game was already petering out.

    Mario Gotze 6. Took the place of Weigl in the dying stages and had some bright touches. Should have started?

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