Celta vs Barcelona Player Ratings

 

Spain - Primera Division

 

Celta

0 vs 3

Barcelona

Played
October 29, 2013 10:00 PM WAT
Estadio de Balaídos — Vigo
Referee:‬ David Fernández‎
Attendance:‬ 26636‎

 

 

Alexis Sánchez 9′

 

Yoel 48′ (OG)

 

Cesc Fàbregas 54′

 

 

Player Ratings: Celta Vigo 0-3 Barcelona

Goal rates the players on show as the Blaugrana got two goals early in the second half kill off the hosts' challenge and maintains Gerardo Martino's undefeated start

By Tom Webber

Celta

2.81

2

2

• 
  4

  0

  Yoel

  The keeper did well to keep out Fabregas' initial effort but he could not stop Alexis from slotting in the rebound. He made a string of good saves throughout and was unfortunate to see the second goal go in off his own back.
• 
  0

  0

  Hugo Mallo

  Allowed Pedro far too much time and space in the wide areas and left his team vulnerable to the counterattack when pushing forward. His delivery was sub-par all night and meaning his attacking input was not worth the risk.
• 
  2

  2

  Andreu Fontàs Prat

  Left far too much space in the channels against his former club and was slow to step out and close the Barca forwards when they dropped off the play. He did not give a shining account of himself against his former club.
• 
  1

  0

  Jon Aurtenetxe Borde

  Failed to get tight enough to Messi when he dropped out onto his flank and this left his team open to plenty of danger during the first half. He was withdrawn 10 minutes after the break.
• 
  0

  2

  Gustavo Daniel Cabral Flop of the Match

  Was far too nonchalant in possession in the opening stages and ended up gifting Barca their opening goal. He picked up a booking for a clumsy challenge on Pedro later in the half and struggled with the pace of the forwards throughout.
• 
  0

  1

  Oubiña

  Began the game in a combative manner, refusing to allow Barca players time and space whilst also mopping up at the back. He provided a solid base in midfield throughout the game.
• 
  1

  1

  Alex López

  Showed some good touches in midfield in the first half and was quick to feed the forwards with some decent passes. After the break, though, his influence lessened bar a good shot which Valdes saved.
• 
  3

  1

  Rafinha

  After a slow start the on-loan midfielder grew into the game and was one of his side's most dangerous players. He had a couple of good efforts in the first half which almost got the better of Valdes. His passing evidenced his La Masia upbringing.
• 
  0

  3

  Augusto Fernández

  The Argentine struggled to get involved in the action from the right flank and failed to make the most of Montoya playing out of position after replacing Adriano. When he did get the chance to cross, his delivery was disappointing.
• 
  0

  1

  Nolito

  Was intermittently lively, dribbling in well from the left and giving Alves something to think about throughout. He rattled the bar with a brilliant free kick in the second half but was withdrawn moments later.
• 
  0

  0

  Charles

  Put in plenty of effort for his team, showing some impressive movement and linking well with his team-mates. He pulled a good save from Valdes in the first half but did not manage to test him again for the remainder of the game.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  Fabián Orellana

  Brought on for Nolito late in the game but struggled to impact the game.
• 
  0

  0

  Toni

  Replaced Aurtenetxe in the 55th minute but struggled to add more solidity to the defence.
• 
  1

  0

  Santiago Mina Lorenzo

  Came on for Fernandez in the 59th minute and was only denied a goal by a brilliant block from Montoya.

Barcelona

3.42

12

2

• 
  9

  3

  Víctor Valdés

  The keeper was kept busy by the opposition but he came out on top on nearly every occasion. His handling was good and the only effort he spilled, from Rafinha, he quickly gathered to remove any danger.
• 
  10

  3

  Carles Puyol

  Stroked the ball about calmly from the back and was very vocal, directing his team from the back throughout. He coped well with the majority of balls into the box and continued his comeback from injury impressively.
• 
  8

  2

  Bartra

  At times tried to do too much and ran himself into trouble, needlessly giving the ball away. However, for much of the game he tracked the runners through the middle well and forced Celta to play from the wide areas.
• 
  5

  1

  Adriano

  Was only on the field for just over 30 minutes as he was forced off after picking up an injury.
• 
  10

  3

  Daniel Alves

  Pushed on whenever possible and put some good balls into the area. Defensively, he made some cracking challenges to halt a few Celta attacks, but when caught out of position he was prone to rashness.
• 
  9

  5

  Cesc Fàbregas Top of the Match

  Won the ball back for his side which led to Sanchez scoring the opening goal inside nine minutes. He continued to get up in support of the forwards and linked with them well. His role early in the second half proved the difference.
• 
  4

  4

  Busquets

  Dropped in to help out at the back and was very assured in possession. He recycled the ball well throughout but failed to provide any sort of creative input to the Barcelona midfield alongside Song.
• 
  9

  4

  Alex Song

  Seemed to lack direction early on and was not quite sure what his role was. He showed more willingness to move into more attacking areas after the break and began to link with the forwards successfully.
• 
  4

  3

  Pedro

  The winger made some bright runs in the wide areas and showed a good touch, drawing tackles from the opposing defence. His crossing was good and he hit the bar in the second half.
• 
  7

  3

  Alexis Sánchez

  Opened the scoring after nine minutes as he followed up for a simple tap in after Fabregas' initial effort was saved. He got into some dangerous areas and linked well with Messi and Pedro in the final third.
• 
  25

  11

  Lionel Messi

  Looked very bright with the ball at his feet and he made some impressive, mazy runs. These played a pivotal part in both the second and third goals, the latter of which he got a direct assist for Fabregas from. He could not get a goal himself, though.

Substitutions

• 
  5

  1

  Montoya

  Came on for Adriano in the 31st minute and did not look out of place at left-back. He made a brilliant block from Santi Mina in the closing stages to help keep the clean sheet.
• 
  3

  1

  Andrés Iniesta Luján

  Brought on for Fabregas with 20 minutes left to play.
• 
  1

  3

  Tello

  Replaced Sanchez in the 83rd minute. ----------------- goal.com