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Marc-Andre Ter Stegen - 7
The German shot-stopper had very little to do save but for one brilliant save he made in the first half to deny Hernandez while the game was still goalless. Always comfortable with the ball, Ter Stegen provided the necessary distribution from his position to keep the game ticking for the Catalan giants.
Aleix Vidal – 7
Vidal had been in fine form prior to this game and added further strength to his credentials as one of the best full-backs with yet another impressive performance. He supplied the cross for Suarez’s and Barcelona’s first goal of the evening and dealt with the threat of Alaves’ attack well. It was a shame that the former Sevilla man had to leave the field in the later stages of the game injured in a horrific manner. We hope him best of health and fast recovery.
Jeremy Mathieu – 6
The French centre-back had a few nervous moments through the game as the Alaves attack threatened sporadically. However, his distribution was good and he often stepped up to the midfield to help his side deal with the Alaves midfield.
Samuel Umtiti – 6
Umititi, Mathieu’s partner at the back, looked a bit uncomfortable at times. However, he grew into the game and with Alaves largely pegged to their own half for most of the game, the French defender had very little to deal with.
Lucas Digne – 7
Digne was beaten by Hernandez’s pace in the first half and would be largely thankfully to Ter Stegen for saving him the blushes. Apart from that, the player was decent and provided the requisite width to the Barcelona unit to dominate the proceedings through the game.
Sergio Busquets – 6
As has been the case so often, Busquets went about his duty nonchalantly yet affectively. Alaves tried their best to contain the deep lying midfielder but their efforts proved to be futile as Busquets largely dominated the proceedings in the middle of the park.
Andre Gomes – 7
The industrious Portuguese was an ever willing runner for the Catalan giants. He was brilliantly denied by Pacheco in the first half. Yet, he continued with his good work and showcased a brilliant passing range to unlock the Alaves defence time and again.
Ivan Rakitic – 7
Rakitic was key to Barcelona’s opening goal as he found Vidal with a good pass and the Croatian pass master linked up well with the Brazilian to threaten the Alaves defence time and again. His best moment of the game though came in the 65th minute when he scored a lovely goal.
Lionel Messi – 8
The Argentine magician found very little space to operate in during the early stages of the game. However, once Barca were settled into the game, there was no stopping Lionel Messi as he capitalised on a lapse in concentration from Vigaray in the 59th minute, He made Alaves pay yet again in the 63rd minute when his presence forced Alexis into knocking one into his own net.
Luis Suarez – 9
How do teams contain the Uruguayan attacker? Suarez had endured a tough evening until the 37th minute when he opened the scoring for the Catalan giants via a Vidal cross. Thereafter, he created two more goals, one for Neymar and the other, an own goal by Alexis before applying the finishing touches to the scoreline in the 67th minute.
Neymar – 7
The Brazilian looked out of the game for large durations of the first half, save for his side’s second goal. However, he did have a more meaningful second half as he kept the Alaves defence busy. His final delivery, though, was poor and the former Santos star will be keen to improve on that going forward.
Substitutes
Jordi Alba- 6
Came on to the pitch in the 66th minute for Samuel Umtiti and had very little to do.
Andres Iniesta- 6
The playmaker came on in the 64th minute for Sergio Busquets and continued to link up well with his colleagues.
Sergi Roberto – NA`
