Lionel Messi leads the way for Barcelona in our player ratings after PSV Eindhoven thrashing

Andy West 23:37 18/09/2018
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  • Lionel Messi’s hat-trick gained Barcelona an ultimately comfortable 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven to kick-off their Champions League campaign in style, and the home captain predictably tops our player ratings.

    But which other players shone and who struggled? Here’s our full player-by-player breakdown.

    BARCELONA (4-3-3)

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen 6. Had little to do as PSV sent most of their chances off target, but always looked composed and made one important punched clearance.

    Sergi Roberto 6. Got forward whenever he could and sent a header and long-range strike too close to the keeper. Willing worker as ever.

    Gerard Pique 6. Sometimes looked troubled by the aerial power of Luuk de Jong and wasn’t always authoritative, but made a good block from Hirving Lozano.

    Samuel Umtiti 5. Had the better of his duel with De Jong, but was booked for dissent and then earned a stupid second yellow card at 3-0.

    Jordi Alba 6. Had a battle of speedsters with Lozano, and came out on top as he held his nerve defensively and contributed well going forward.

    Ivan Rakitic 7. Assisted Messi’s second goal expertly. Tried his luck with a pair of well-struck long-range efforts and always looked classily comfortable.

    Sergio Busquets 7. A smooth display from the conductor of Barca’s orchestra, who was always available to spark attacking moves and never looked flustered.

    Philippe Coutinho 7. Bright on the left of midfield. Lots of dangerous approach play and came close with a curling strike to force a good save.

    Lionel Messi 9. He did it again. Conjured a sumptuous free-kick opener, and completed another hat-trick with a half-volleyed second and a right-footed strike.

    Luis Suarez 7. Worked very hard and twice came close, shooting into the side-netting and hitting the bar with a clever chip. Set up Messi’s third.

    Ousmane Dembele 7. Often sloppy in possession but always dangerous on the run, winning the free-kick for Messi’s opener and scoring a scintillating second.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Clement Lenglet N/A. Came on for the final stages after Umtiti’s foolish dismissal, and now looks set to start at Tottenham in the next group game.

    Arthur N/A. Made his Champions League debut for the final ten minutes and adapted quickly, looking tidy and composed in possession.

    Arturo Vidal N/A. A late addition to the midfield as coach Ernesto Valverde shored things up after being reduced to ten men.

    PSV EINDHOVEN (4-2-3-1)

    Jeroen Zoet 6. Was given no chance for any of the goals. Made a couple of decent saves to deny Messi and Coutinho. Questionable distribution.

    Denzel Dumfries 7. Often found himself outnumbered in the right-back position but worked hard to stick to his task. Rarely able to get forward.

    Daniel Schwaab 5. Made some well-timed interceptions but struggled to live with the relentless running of Suarez and was flagging by the end.

    Nick Viergever 5. Strong in the air and rugged in the tackle – perhaps too much as he was booked and then replaced to avoid dismissal.

    Angelino 6. Tried to stick close to Messi from his left-back position and advanced forward to demand a save with a fizzing low shot.

    Pablo Rosario 5. Struggled defensively and showed little on the ball, looking a little out of his depth. Substituted towards the end.

    Jorrit Hendrix 6. Rather anonymous for much of the game, keeping it simple in possession, but he worked hard to protect his back four.

    Hirving Lozano 5. Showed his searing speed on one break and had a trio of half-chances in the second half. Not always diligent defensively.

    Gaston Pereiro 7. Technically strong performance and positional clever as he attempted to link midfield with attack. Fired an early decent half-volleyed chance too high.

    Steven Bergwijn 5. Curled a shot just wide after a rapid break and created a chance for Lozano with another surge, but was too little involved.

    Luuk de Jong 6. The visiting skipper worked hard to hold up the ball and was strong in the air. Fired a 25-yard volley over the top.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Nicolas Isimat-Mirin 5. Came into the centre of defence to replace red-card risk Viergever but did little to strengthen the back line as Barca cruised home.

    Donyell Malen N/A. Introduced into the attack and had a glorious chance for a consolation strike but hesitated and the opportunity passed him by.

    Erick Gutierrez N/A. A late entrant in the centre of the field and had little time or opportunity to influence the action.

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