Barcelona 1-0 Valencia: Player Ratings

FC Barcelona welcomed Valencia for their first leg of Copa del Rey semifinals. The match was a largely one-sided affair but FC Barcelona only just about managed to eke out a victory.

The first half saw Barcelona control the proceedings and dominating the possession. However, for all their mastery on the ball, they could not open up Valencia defence. The first half saw zero shots on target for both teams.

The second half was a more open affair. Valencia tried to counter on a few occasions and Barcelona also started to find spaces in behind the Valencia defence. Luis Suarez scored Barcelona's only goal with a fine header off a Messi cross.

Here, let's take a look at how the players fared for the two teams

Barcelona

Jasper Cillessen: 6.5/10

He was not tested much, save for a few shots that were aimed directly at him. He commanded his area well and in general looked calm under pressure and distributed the ball accurately and sensibly. He made an excellent tackle on Santi Mina late in the game when exposed one-on-one against him.

Sergi Roberto: 8.5/10

Starting at right-back, he produced an amazing performance. He did make a couple of bamboozling, penetrating runs in attack while also recycling the ball well. In defence, he was solid and never allowed the Valencia wide-men to cut in or put in a cross.

Gerard Pique: 7/10

Pique had a good game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won tackles, made blocks and clearances and kept a calm head at the heart of the Barca defence.

Samuel Umtiti - 8/10

Umtiti put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Rodrigo and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles throughout the game and was efficient at taking the ball out of defence too.

Jordi Alba: 7/10

Alba put in a good shift at the left back position for the Blaugrana. He was solid enough in defence and was always available for a pass on Baca's left flank.

Sergio Busquets: 7/10

Another typical Busquets performance. He shielded the back four, broke up play and played the role of a deep-lying playmaker. He will be looking forward to a great second half of the season.

Barcelona v Valencia - Copa Del Rey: Suarez heading in Barca's only goal

Ivan Rakitic: 7/10

The Croatian International was influential throughout the game. He broke plays and started attacks from his own half. This was a good commanding display from him in the middle of the park.

Andres Iniesta: 7/10

The World Cup winner looked sharp and dictated things for Barcelona from midfield. His turns and touches were delightful to watch and suggest that he may have a few years worth of top-level football left in his tank.

Aleix Vidal: 6/10

He started on the right-hand side of Barcelona midfield and combined well with Sergi Roberto. He looked sharp on occasion and had a decent first half. He faded in the second half and was subsequently taken off for Coutinho.

Lionel Messi: 8/10

This was another masterclass from Messi, who was a major threat throughout. His dribbling was tremendous and his passing was just as impressive, particularly his fabulous assist for Suarez.

Luis Suarez: 8/10

The old Luisito is back. Took his goal with a fine finish into Valencia's far post. He worked hard all night and never shied away from running beyond the last man despite being crowded out and marked heavily all night long.

Substitutes

Phillipe Coutinho: 7/10

Brought on for Vidal, Coutinho started out on right before drifting on to the left-hand side of the midfield. He came up with a few nifty turns and touches and linked well with Messi and Suarez.

Paco Alcacer: 6/10

Starting as a substitute against his former side, he could not do much in the limited time that was afforded to him. He did hit a vicious volley from 30 yards out, but the shot was aimed straight at the keeper.

Paulinho: 6/10

Brought on late in the game for Ivan Rakitic, in a slightly more defensive role, he did his job well without ever getting into positions to affect the outcome.

Valencia

Jaume Domenech: 8/10

He had quite an amazing outing just, like his Barcelona counterpart. Quick off his lines, it was he who stood firm and almost stopped Barcelona from an easy victory. Pulled a couple of saves including a number of fantastic stops off Messi and Coutinho.

Martin Montoya - 7/10

Montoya showed some fabulous touches with the ball at his feet, but most of his night was spent defending. He dug in well and put in a shift for the team.

Gabriel Paulista: 7.5/10

A good performance from the Los Che defender as he marshalled the defence superbly. He defended with guile and kept his side in the game despite barrages of attack from Barcelona.

Ruben Vezo: 8/10

The centre-back, like his defensive partners, was always alert to the dangers the Barcelona players posed to his goal and was ever-ready to deal with them. He never gave an inch of space to anyone in and around the penalty box.

Jose Gaya: 5.5/10

Gaya defended his team's left flank quite diligently. He was tentative and always ready to go into a tackle. However, he was quite often overwhelmed by the Vidal and Roberto combo. He also left his man, Suarez, free for his header for Barcelona's only goal.

Francis Coquelin: 6.5/10

The defensive midfielder was quite combative in the middle of the park. He screened his defence well and never shied away from a tackle despite an apparent gulf in quality. However, he was a bit too reckless at times and always risked a second yellow when jumping into tackles.

Daniel Parejo: 6/10

The midfielder was combative and very efficient in possession. He was intelligent in distribution and defended resolutely. Though this was not his best outing, he surely did his job reasonably well.

Andreas Pereira: 5.5/10

Pereira only lasted one half on the pitch as he was taken off for Maksimovic at the halftime mark. While he was on the pitch, he was mostly seen in his own half covering and tracking the runs of Roberto.

Carlos Soler: 5/10

The winger, for the most part, was seen in his own half defending. In attack, he was unspectacular and was limited to a couple of hopeful crosses that never hit their target. He was booked for cynically bringing down Andres Iniesta.

Rodrigo Moreno: 5.5/10

Rodrigo worked hard and tirelessly, but could not get the better of Gerard Pique or Samuel Umtiti. His decision making was quite erratic and he never could get into any decent attacking positions or deliver a decent final ball.

Luciano Vietto: 5.5/10

He was unable to unleash any troubling shots on goal to continue his goal-scoring form. He tried to link midfield and attack a couple of times but nothing fruitful came off.

Substitutes

Nemanja Maksimovic: 6/10

The pacey winger was brought on Pereira at halftime. His introduction meant that Valencia was more adventurous after the break. However, his decision making was quite erratic and might have cost Valencia a goal.

Ferran Torres: 5.5/10

The seventeen-year-old was thrust into this high voltage match with hopes of him turning around the result. The midfielder did fairly well and can walk away with bags of confidence.

Santi Mina: 4/10

The veteran striker was brought on late in the game to score. He did not do that. Sent through on the goal, in a one-on-one situation, he could not even get a shot let alone score from that position.

Edited by Shambhu Ajith