Lionel Messi, as always, was at the forefront of La Liga leaders Barcelona’s 3-1 come-from-behind triumph against struggling Rayo Vallecano.
To mark the Argentina legend’s 443rd top-flight run-out, the second most in Barca’s history, he produced an assist for centre-back Gerard Pique’s headed leveller to Real Madrid loanee Raul de Tomas’ superb solo strike and then converted a penalty to make it 2-1. Uruguay hit man Luis Suarez would only make Saturday’s result safe late on, via a tap-in.
But behind Messi’s brilliance, stood the ubiquitous Arturo Vidal. The Chile battler was everywhere at Camp Nou.
Here’s his performance in focus:
KEY STATS
Shots: 0
Touches: 116
Total passes: 95
Pass accuracy: 95.8%
Tackles: 8
Interceptions: 3
30-SECOND REPORT
Barca’s commanding seven-point advantage in the La Liga title race remained intact, despite a scare against second-bottom Rayo.
De Tomas darted half the length of the pitch for the visitors, stood up Portuguese right-back Nelson Semedo and accurately found the bottom corner in the 24th minute. Barca, however, kept pressing and Messi swung in a set-piece that Pique rose highest to meet just before the break.
By 51 minutes, the game was turned around when Semedo was scythed down. Messi did the business from 12 yards, also moving him onto 26 strikes in 25 La Liga fixtures this term.
A ninth home win of the season was then secured on 82 minutes when Croatia substitute Ivan Rakitic teed up Suarez from close range.
GOT RIGHT
Complete performance: When Barca’s technical staff analyse the data from this contest, then Vidal is sure to come off well.
For Ernesto Valverde’s men, the 31-year-old; made the most tackles (eight), joint-most interceptions (three), most fouls (three), had the best pass accuracy of anyone who made more than 40 passes (95.8 per cent from 95 passes) and had the most touches (116).
With figures like these, you couldn’t wish for a much better foil to the measured Sergio Busquets and lively Arthur in the engine room.
GOT WRONG
The final pass: For all the positives mined from Vidal’s marauding display, one negative can be highlighted.
After he had won the ball to spark a first-half counter-attack, a – slightly – misplaced pass on the edge of the penalty box killed critical momentum.
At Barca, being a destroyer and nuisance isn’t nearly enough. Predecessor Paulinho – renowned more for his attacking box-to-box abilities, admittedly – scored nine times in 49 outings, but was soon discarded as his game was not expansive enough.
Vidal showed at Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Bayern Munich that he possesses more depth. The key is to consistently exhibit it.
20 - @FCBarcelona have won more points from losing positions than any other side in the top five European leagues this season (20 points). Comeback. pic.twitter.com/CS6Rx88JPQ
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 9, 2019
KEY MOMENT
23rd min CHANCE: Vidal breaks clear, but his pass is placed just behind Messi. The great man manages to, somehow, place the ball into Coutinho’s path, though an anaemic effort follows.
VERDICT
The summer sale of Paulinho and acquisition of Vidal was meant to place Barca in a better position to challenge on all fronts.
On the evidence to date, this appears a sharp move.
Vidal does not offer the Brazil midfielder’s goal threat, but in nearly all other areas is superior. Aligned with a warrior spirit, he lowers the odds of a remontada to rival last term’s Champions League collapse at Roma from reoccurring.
Rating: 8/10
