Our ratings of the team after the jump!
DEFENCE:
Valdes: Had absolutely nothing to do in the first half. Could have gone off the pitch in the first 45 and it wouldn’t have mattered as Deportivo failed to threaten at all. Made a couple of easy saves from Riki and Guardado in the second half. He was quick to put a long ball for Dani Alves which resulted in Pedro’s goal. Spent all night dealing with his defenders backpasses and even though he came off his line a couple of times to clear, it was a very quiet outing.
6.5
Alves: The highly rated Brazilian was a tireless machine on the night. Marauded up and down the right flank and made it his own. His incredible link ups with Messi all night were an abosulte joy to watch. He could have scored an outrageous goal with an unbelievable effort, but his bicycle kick hit the crossbar at the far post. Worked his socks off and was absolutely everywhere at times. Very strong performance.
8.5
Marquez: The Mexican captain started ahead of Puyol and Milito and didn’t disappoint. Read the game well and didn’t make any mistakes. Helped his team keep possession and even won a couple of tackles in his own half. He had a couple of decent efforts on goal too. The second of which was cleared off the line by Deportivo defender Sergio.
6.5
Pique: A solid performance in defense by the centre back. Won several headers in the box and made countless clearances from loose ball situations. Depor striker Riki found it impossible to get past him with the 6′3 Catalan defender winning the ball of him on quite a few ocassions.
7.0
Maxwell: The former Inter fullback, was very good defensively. Dispossessing the opponents on his side of the pitch. Moved up ahead into midfield and played some nice one-two’s with his team mates. Although he didn’t make any runs down the flanks and put in any crosses, he did his job in defense well.
6.5
MIDFIELD:
Toure: The Ivorian had a great match against the Galicians as he was a force in the centre of the park, controlling the midfield while seeing a lot of the ball. His distribution tonight was fantastic as he sent several diagonal balls to the flanks finding Alves every single time. He capped off a solid performance with a well taken goal, when the ball fell to him in the box he smashed it into the net from 10 yards. 8.0
Xavi: He is the indeed the definition of consistency. His contribution was key especially in the first half. Helped Barca dominate possession as always. Slid in a clever pass for Bojan in the box which opened the scoring. Moved the ball around well finding his team mates in space at will. Slowed down a bit after the result was in the bag and was correctly withdrawn for Busquets late with fifteen minutes remaining. 7.5
Messi: La Pulga may not have gotten on the scoresheet tonight, but he was absolutely sensational. Showed God-like ball control and skill and made his trademark runs skipping past multiple defenders all night long. He put a sweet through ball for Jeffren, who couldn’t finish early on. A stunning lob effort was pushed over the bar by Depor stopper Aranzubia. Fantastic link ups with Alves all night, and he roamed the midfield passing the ball around. His shot was cleared off the line after a scramble in the box with Bojan and two Depor defenders. 8.0
ATTACK:
Pedro: He had a golden opportunity to open the scoring early on when Pique chested the ball from a set piece to him, but his shot came off the right post. He missed another one-on-one chance against Aranzubia later on. Just when it seemed like he had left his shooting boots at home, the Depor keeper charged outside his area and his clearance fell straight to Pedro, who shot from 40 yards and the ball found its way into the empty net. Also, put in some good crosses from the right side. 7.5
Jeffren: The winger should have put his side 1-0 ahead early on when Messi’s pass found him in the box, but he couldn’t score past the Deportivo keeper. Provided a decent cross for Bojan in the box. He was not as involved in the attacks thereon, but he closed down the opponents well. 6.0
Bojan: The young striker recieved a pass from Xavi in the box and his clinical finish broke the deadlock. Had a couple of half chances, but should have really done better with Jeffren’s cross in the second half that he sent wide. Got the all-important first goal, and the coach will be pleased with his effort. 7.0
SUBSTITUTES:
Keita: Brought on for the struggling Jeffren and quickly settled into his rhythm. Worked hard in midfield closing down opponents and creating space for the likes of Messi to operate. Very, very reliable when he was on the pitch. 6.5
Henry: Not much action, but he did have an opportunity to score from a Pedro cross but he sent his shot straight at the keeper. 6.0
Busquets: Came on with a little over ten minutes remaining, and kept possession well to see off another victory at the Camp Nou. 6.0
Ни во Европа,ни во Англија, па дури ни во Ман Утд.
) Е тоа да се помине е предизвик.
,а до крај остануваат уште 9 меча..
