Barcelona 5-2 Valencia: Player ratings as Ansu Fati shines with a 9

Andy West 04:03 15/09/2019
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Ansu Fati was the undoubted star of the show as Barcelona destroyed Valencia 5-2 at Camp Nou, with the 16 year-old marking his full debut by recording a goal and an assist inside the first seven minutes.

    But the teenager wasn’t the only player to shine in his team’s thumping win…so how did everyone else perform? Find out with our full player ratings:

    Ter Stegen 6. Made a risky but effective save at the feet of Gameiro and did what he had to do – which was limited – with efficiency.

    Semedo 7. Did a decent job of containing the threat posed by Guedes and came forward to arrow a low strike against the upright.

    Pique 6. Didn’t look very comfortable against the pace of Gameiro, but got forward to tap home a rebound for his team’s key third goal.

    Lenglet 6. Left for dead by Gameiro for Valencia’s first and the late goal was Gomez was another sign that Barca are vulnerable at the back.

    Alba 7. Struck up a good understanding with Fati down the left, working as hard as usual up and down the pitch.

    De Jong 8. Assisted the opener with an astute pass into the box, and netted the second with a rising drive. By far his best Barca performance to date.

    A commanding display from the former Ajax man.

    A commanding display from the former Ajax man.

    Busquets 7. Played a central part in Barca’s domination of possession, serving as his team’s fulcrum to keep the ball moving and hold the shape.

    Arthur 7. In the starting line-up for the first time this season, and delivered a controlled display to orchestrate the midfield. Back to his best.

    Perez 6. Played with energy and intent down the right wing, but offered little penetration and was the least dangerous of his team’s attackers.

    Griezmann 6. Fairly quiet on the whole, but contributed with a shot which led to Pique’s goal. Moved to the left wing after Suarez’s return to action.

    Fati 9. Sensational. Scored after less than two minutes of his debut with a crisp low strike and registered a stunning assist five minutes later.

    Suarez 8. Returned to action after injury in style, curling home a brilliant 20-yard strike within a minute and adding another soon after.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Rakitic 6. Received a rousing welcome when he was introduced with 20 minutes to play and kept his team moving with an assured cameo.

    Vidal 6. Introduced to tighten up the midfield for the final stages and showed plenty of willingness to get forward with dynamic movement.

    VALENCIA

    Cillessen 4. Barca’s former back-up keeper made an unhappy return, committing an awful mistake to give Pique a tap-in for the third goal.

    Wass 5. Caught out of position for the second goal and was given a torrid time by Fati. Playing out of position and it showed.

    Garay 4. Perhaps should have dispossessed Fati before Barca’s second and was one of the weakest performers in a worrying team display.

    Gabriel 5. Far from his finest hour, often slow to react and cut out danger. But did make a good block to deny Rakitic.

    Gaya 5. Rarely able to get forward in an unusually subdued performance which saw him concentrate on defensive duties against Perez.

    Torres 6. Showed tenacity and fight on Valencia’s right flank, but flitted in and out of the action and was replaced.

    Coquelin 5. Struggled in the centre of midfield, failing to break up Barca’s passing patterns and receiving little of the ball himself.

    A tough night for Coquelin.

    A tough night for Coquelin.

    Parejo 5. Sparked many of his team’s dangerous attacks but was generally outplayed by Busquets and Arthur and offered little resistance in the second half.

    Guedes 4. Another disappointing display from a player who possesses undoubted talent but also a frustrating tendency to hide it.

    Rodrigo 6. Linked play well at times dropping deep, including a slick assist for Gameiro’s goal, but faded and was taken off.

    Gameiro 6. Finished well to pull one back and always offered a threat with his pace running in behind the home team defence.

    SUBSTITUTES

    Cheryshev 6. Replaced Guedes down the left flank and made a late contribution with a good cross for Gomez’s goal.

    Kang-in 5. Hot young prospect was given a chance to impress but was booked within a minute. Showed some nice touches.

    Gomez 6. Came on for Rodrigo and capped a determined brief showing with a close-range finish for his team’s late second.

    Recommended