Barcelona player ratings as Lionel Messi's return is ruined by Real Betis

Andy West 22:42 11/11/2018
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  • Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season as Real Betis claimed the points in a 4-3 thriller.

    The game contained some individual brilliance and horrible howlers…but who did what? We rate all the players here.

    BARCELONA

    Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 4. Perhaps could have saved the opener inside his near post and made a genuine howler for Lo Celso’s goal.

    Sergi Roberto 5. Easily beaten by Junior for the opener and made some basic errors, but displayed his usual endless running.

    Gerard Pique 4. Lost his footing early on and that was a metaphor for a clumsy and chaotic performance. All over the place.

    Clement Lenglet 6. Often left to perform a one-man defence and did about as well as he could. Unlucky not to score in the first half.

    Jordi Alba 5. Had a tough game against Tello but did at least win the penalty. Full of running but often exposed.

    Ivan Rakitic 4. One of his worst performances for a long time, getting out-passed, out-run and eventually sent off.

    Sergio Busquets 5. Fired a rare chance over early on and that was the cue for a sketchy showing. Substituted after Messi’s penalty.

    Arthur 4. Couldn’t get into the game at all in the face of Betis’s dogged man-marking, and was substituted at half-time.

    Lionel Messi 7. Not the return to action he expected, even though he played well enough. Netted a penalty and a stoppage time consolation.

    Luiz Suarez 5. Everything went wrong for him early on, with heavy touches and poor passes, but he kept working and gradually improved.

    Malcom 5. Bright down the left in the opening stages but soon faded and looked lost. Replaced early in the second half.

    Substitutes

    Arturo Vidal 6. Half-time entrant and his aggression made an immediate impact. Scored a goal and assisted Messi’s second.

    Munir 6. Replaced Malcom on the left of the front three, and set up Vidal’s goal. Did enough to earn more playing time.

    Carles Alena 6. A rare chance to impress and fired just wide with his first touch. Tried his best but was outnumbered in midfield.

    REAL BETIS

    Pau Lopez 7. Made a stunning reflex stop to deny Lenglet at 1-0, and couldn’t have done anything to stop Barca’s goals. Great in possession.

    Aissa Mandi 7. Authoritative performance on the right of Betis’s back three. Shackled Malcom and combined well with Tello.

    Marc Bartra 8. Commanding back in his old home stadium, subduing Suarez with calm authority. Looks ready for a bigger stage.

    Sidnei 8 Very strong on the ball and always willing to add another man into midfield by striding forward.

    Cristian Tello 7. Twice came close to scoring and assisted two goals. Always a threat going forward. Tripped Alba for penalty.

    William Carvalho 9. Sprayed a lovely long ball to assist Junior’s goal and delivered a generally masterful display, a tower of strength.

    Andres Guardado 7. A quietly but very effective display in midfield, keeping possession well and supporting his defence.

    Junior Firpo 8. Did brilliantly to rifle the opener low inside the near post and provided great width down the left. Also assisted the fourth.

    Giovani Lo Celso 8. Bright and creative in possession, linking midfield with attack in style. Crowned a marvellous performance with a goal.

    Joaquin 7. Netted a well-taken goal and was full of intelligent movement and clever touches. Replaced to applause after an hour.

    Loren Moron 7. Volleyed one presentable early chance over and flashed another couple just wide. Worked hard and led the line well.

    Substitutes

    Sergio Canales 7. Replaced Joaquin as an attacking midfielder and was a bundle of energy, netting his team’s fourth from close range.

    Sergio Leon 6. Came on to replace Loren for the final stages and repeatedly looked capable of exposing a stretched Barca defence.

    Takashi Inui 5. Entered the fray for the final five minutes and didn’t really have a kick in a frantic ending.

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