Copa del Rey 17/18: Valencia 0-2 Barcelona; Player Ratings

Barcelona are t
Barcelona are through to to the finals.

Despite a valiant effort, Valencia couldn't trouble Barcelona and try to force their way into the finals of the Copa del Rey. Two second-half goals from Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic set up another mouthwatering final between Sevilla and Barcelona.

Valencia, however, did put up a good fight and troubled the goalkeeper often in the first half but their final third decision-making is what let them down at a time that mattered most.

Here's how the players fared:

Valencia

Jaume Domenech - 6.5/10

Didn't honestly have much to do most of the first half given his side's attacking intent but come the second half, when needed, couldn't help keep his side in the game.

Martin Montoya - 7/10

The former Barcelona man was a threat going forward and put in some lovely crosses and could've expected more from his target men.

Ezequiel Garay - 6.5/10

Was doing decently well until he had to stretchered off the field for a hamstring issue. Looks likely to miss a few games.

Gabriel Paulista - 7.5/10

Had his good and bad moments captured in one particular incident when he gave the ball away to Messi in the second half only to catch up and put in a spectacular tackle to win it back.

Jose Luis Gaya - 6.5/10

Had an 87% pass accuracy rate and had one of his better displays in compared to recent form but still couldn't prove to be effective in the final third.

Francis Coquelin - 7/10

Showing in flashes why he could be a steal for Valencia with another decent display. Had to be taken off for a more-attacking minded change as Barcelona scored the opener. Really promising signs from the Frenchman.

Dani Parejo - 7/10

As always, was the fulcrum of most of what Valencia did from the centre of the park but struggled to cope with Messi dropping in deep too often.

Geoffrey Kondogbia - 7.5/10

Surely he isn't the same player we all saw at Inter Milan? Another accomplished performance in both the attacking and defending side of the game.

Simone Zaza - 7.5/10

Hasn't had the most favourable last couple of years but showed today that in this system, he could be the kind of outlet a lot of Valencia's midfielders and attackers need: strong and commanding in the box.

Rodrigo - 6.5/10

Barring his excellent effort heading the ball into the underside of the crossbar, Rodrigo could've done a lot more. Did run his heart out but often at the wrong time.

Luciano Vietto - 6.5/10

Had two key passes to his name but his link-up play is what caught the eye. Was willing to make runs deep into the final third and put in some lovely balls for his striking-partners to tuck away.

Substitutes

Carlos Soler - 7/10

Came on for Rodrigo and did well to bring about a more direct approach to Valencia's attack. Was agile on the ball and caused a few problems for the Barcelona defence.

Goncalo Guedes - 7/10

Statistics say he didn't have the best of games but his runs into the box, his constant need to dribble past the midfield and put in a ball had Barcelona on the back foot too often. Should've started the game.

Ruben Vezo - 6/10

Came on for the injured Garay but the game had already passed him by.

Ivan

Ivan Rakitic (C) celebrates with his teammates after scoring Barcelona's second.

Barcelona

Jasper Cillessen - 7/10

Pulled off a spectacular save in the second half saving a shot with his leg from a point-blank range. Didn't have much else to do in the latter half but did stand up when it mattered most.

Jordi Alba - 7/10

Wasn't at his ravaging best today having to deal with Zaza and Coquelin but did what he had to do and ensured his side kept a clean sheet again.

Samuel Umtiti - 7.5/10

Getting better by the game, Samuel Umtiti, put in another good performance and thwarted the danger early on to prevent problems for the rest of the backline.

Gerard Pique - 8.5/10

A rock at the back, put in several last-ditch tackles to preserve a clean sheet but was taken off cautiously late in the game.

Sergi Roberto - 7.5/10

Another hard-working display from Sergi Roberto in the right-back spot means he's consistently been one of the best players the team have had this season.

Andreas Iniesta - 8/10

Still toyed around with the defence, still put in cute unexpected passes and still dominated the midfield battle at thirty-three.

Sergio Busquets - 7.5/10

A 95% pass accuracy, four tackles, three interceptions and another excellent all-round display from the Spanish international. A real vital cog in this Barcelona machine.

Ivan Rakitic - 8/10

Scored a lovely goal in the second half, and did his job well. Kept the ball when needed, passes it off when needed. Didn't take any risky chance but did take his only chance - excellently - to score.

Andre Gomes - 6/10

Just not his day. Didn't have the composure or the finesse in the first half and didn't get back out on the field for the second.

Luis Suarez - 9/10

Two assists on the day and another hard-working display of commitment and drive. Easily the best striker on the planet.

Lionel Messi - 8/10

Always a joy to watch but Valencia seemed to keep him at bay all night long. Did have a 95% pass completion rate and created one chance.

Substitutes

Philippe Coutinho - 7.5/10

Scored his first Barcelona goal and what an unorthodox finish it was. Started the second half and was the difference as his side ran away with the ball - and the goals - into the final.

Paulinho - 6.5/10

Was brought on to shore up that midfield and did just that. Sat deeper than usual and didn't contribute as much to attack possibly following strict orders.

Yerry Mina - 6/10

Came on for the last six minutes and didn't honestly have much to do given his side's lead.

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Edited by Khushwant Ramesh
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