Champions League 2017/2018: Barcelona 3-0 Juventus, Player Ratings

Lionel Messi was the star of the show at Camp Nou, as Barcelona romped to a convincing victory against the team that knocked them out of last year's edition of the Champions League. Three goals and a comfortable performance for the hosts, as Ernesto Valverde's start in the dugout goes from strength to strength.

Barcelona

Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 7/10

Always alert and very quick to come off his line whenever the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala were released in behind the Barcelona back four. Handled well and didn’t spill anything into dangerous areas for any lurking opponents.

Nelson Semedo - 7/10

His pace ensured that Alex Sandro found it tough to overlap down the outside of his man. On the attack, the young right back linked up fairly well with Ousmane Dembele. The two seem to have some good early chemistry at their new club.

Gerard Pique - 7/10

Got away with a questionable clearance in the second half, but otherwise protected his 18-yard box well and wasn’t tested all too often. Juventus were largely reduced to threatening from long range or set pieces.

Samuel Umtiti - 7/10

His pace was useful on the rare occasion that Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa managed to get into full stride, but largely the Frenchman had a comfortable night were he saw a lot of possession.

Jordi Alba - 7/10

Always keen to race down the left-hand side and offer width, with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez taking up more central positions throughout the 90 minutes. Went close with an overhead kick effort from a narrow angle.

Sergio Busquets - 7/10

Sat at the base of the midfield with Ivan Rakitic and helped to regulate play, dropping in to collect the ball if needed, but also stepping up to press as has been characteristic of Valverde’s Barcelona. Coasted through the second half.

Ivan Rakitic - 8/10

Continues to impress in Ernesto Valverde’s midfield. Keen to spread the play and sit in to ensure that Andres Iniesta has the freedom to roam and find pockets of space. Fired home the second goal of the night to put the game beyond doubt.

Andres Iniesta 7/10

Looked to try and feed Jordi Alba to the left byline whenever possible, and was always on the move to try and find pockets of space in between the lines. Played plenty of penetrative passes to try and change the pace of the attack.

Dembele, Suarez and Messi could form a potent trio for Barcelona

Ousmane Dembele 7/10

His pace and trickery offers a totally different dimension to Barcelona’s attack. He is unafraid to drive into space and at players, committing defenders and winning free kicks in dangerous areas. Showed no fear and appears to be a great signing.

Lionel Messi - 9/10

Tucked a wonderful finish just inside the far post to make it 1-0 to the home side, before going on a signature run before his second of the night. The Argentine star continues to impress in the early stages of the season, and appears to have quite the campaign ahead of him.

Luis Suarez - 7/10

Laid off a lovely pass to Messi for an assist for the opening goal, and saw a late goal ruled out for apparently offside. Always looking to nip inside and make little darting runs to open up space for himself and others.

Substitutes

Sergi Roberto - 6/10

Slotted in on the right-hand side of Barcelona’s midfield and helped to shore things up a little bit in terms of defensive shape. Comfortable on the ball and kept things moving.

Paulinho - 6/10

Saw plenty of possession, with his teammates trying to give him as many touches as possible. Didn’t take any risks and just eased through the last 10 minutes or so.

Andre Gomes - 6/10

Had less than 10 minutes to make an impact, but slotted in without fuss as Barcelona closed the game out with patient possession whenever possible.

Juventus

Juventus never really got going at the Camp Nou last night

Gianluigi Buffon - 7/10

Made a few very good saves for the away side, and the scoreline could have got even more embarrassing without his presence. Did very well to tip a powerful effort from Luis Suarez over the bar in the first half.

Mattia De Sciglio 5/10

Forced off in the first half after landing awkwardly on his ankle following a challenge by Iniesta. Pegged back during the opening 40 minutes and didn’t have much of a chance to push on and affect the game in the final third.

Andrea Barzagli 4/10

Was caught out for pace at times, receiving a yellow card for a cynical bodycheck on Dembele when in a precarious situation. Didn't look as comfortable as he normally would do in a three-man central defence.

Mehdi Benatia 5/10

Almost forced a late goal for the visitors, but a clearance from Pique denied him on the Barcelona goal line. Struggled to get near to Messi or Suarez, with the former doing well to nip in and around the box to create havoc for the Bianconeri defence.

Alex Sandro 4/10

Pegged back by the presence of both Semedo and Dembele, with the Brazilian not quite having the pace and strength to hare down the left and get beyond the Portuguese full back. A disappointing outing for the ex-Porto wing back.

Rodrigo Bentacur 5/10

Gave the ball away in criminal fashion during the build-up to Rakitic’s goal, but he did pop up in some interesting areas inside the Barcelona half to try his luck from range. His physicality was interesting to throw into the mix, but it may have been a case of too much too soon.

Miralem Pjanic 5/10

Sat deep in midfield and tried to pull the strings in Claudio Marchisio’s injury absence. Didn’t manage to have too much of an effect on play in the second half. Juventus faded, and their ball retention went with it.

Blaise Matuidi 5/10

Full of energy in the first half, and was keen to try and push forward whenever the opportunity arose, but after the break his workload was much more defensive. Barcelona’s domination and ability to hold onto the ball negated his impact.

Douglas Costa 6/10

Provided a couple of lovely, delicate flicks to part the home defence in the first half. Probably was the only Juventus player that could leave Camp Nou with his head held relatively high. Had little service, but was always trying to be positive with the ball.

It was a frustrating night for Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala 5/10

Had a few long-range efforts which didn’t come to anything, in what was a largely frustrating night for the Argentina international. Tested Ter Stegen on a few occasions, but didn’t have much more than snapshots.

Gonzalo Higuain 4/10

Didn't have any big chances of note. Struggled to come up with any chances, as he was entirely reliant on service from his support network. Pique and Umtiti could deal with him easily as a result.

Substitutes

Stefano Sturaro 5/10

Brought on as an auxiliary full back for the away side, and it was clear that defensively he was not hugely comfortable. When bringing the ball out of defence, he looked a little more at home.

Federico Bernardeschi 5/10

Tried a few expansive passes, but largely had a disappointing final half an hour in which it was hard for him to find a footing in the midfield battle. The game had already gone.

Fabrizio Caligara 5/10

Made his Champions League debut at the age of 17, but didn’t have time to make an impact at Camp Nou.