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FC Barcelona travelled to Canary Islands with an eye on the Sunday fixture against Atletico Madrid.
Las Palmas, who are currently embroiled in the relegation dogfight, put up a brave show and took one crucial point from the encounter with the Catalan side. The first half of the match saw FC Barcelona take the lead courtesy a fine freekick by Lionel Messi.
The second half started on a frantic note. Las Palmas were awarded a controversial penalty, which they did convert to equalize. Thereon, Barca huffed and puffed for another goal but to no avail. The match ended on an even note.
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Without further ado, let's take a look at how the players rated for the two sides:
Las Palmas
Leandro Chichizola: 7.5/10
Chichizola was a solid presence at the back. He was called into action quite often and did well on all occasions. He made excellent stops throughout the match to keep his team in the game.
Matias Agiurregaray: 9/10
The full-back had a pretty solid game for his team. He did not allow anyone on his inside, neither did he allow Digne to flourish on the overlap. While attacking, he was among the chief culprits who troubled Barcelona with some deft touches and neat plays. He won his team the penalty.
Alejandro Galvez: 7.5/10
Galvez put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Messi and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Las Palmas in the game.
Ximo Navarro: 8/10
The centre-back, like his defensive partners, was always alert to the dangers 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.
Dani Castellano: 7/10
The full-back had a decent outing and defended reasonably well barring the opening few minutes. He stayed narrow and didn't really give much in attack.
Oghenekaro Etebo: 7/10
Etebo had a good game. Though he was not very influential in the second half, he came out on top in the midfield battle against Barca’s midfield during the initial 45 minutes. His distribution was efficient if not eye-catching.
Vicente Gomez: 8/10
The defensive midfielder was quite combative in the middle of the park. He screened his defence well and never did shy away from a tackle. He was the glue that held his team while attacking.
Alen Halilovic: 5.5/10
Halilovic had a good game. He helped in the team's buildups and was a constant thorn for Barcelona's defence. His end-product led him down big time.
Tana: 7/10
Playing in the hole behind the striker, Tana was a constant thorn for Barcelona's defence. His linkup play with his team's attackers was good. However, like his teammates, he too carried out his defensive duties quite well in the second half.
Jairo Samperio: 6/10
Playing on the left side for Las Palmas' attack, he could not muster up much of a challenge for Sergi Roberto. He was slow to react and was off the frequency on which his teammates played.
Jonathan Calleri: 7/10
He was crafty in possession, kept the ball in tight spaces and brought the much-needed urgency into Las Palmas' game. He scored courtesy of a fine penalty into the top corner.
Substitutes
Alberto Aquilani: 6/10
He was brought on for Vicente Gomez with twenty minutes left to play. With an important role to play, he continued Gomez's good work in the middle of the park as he closed down spaces behind and in front of him with pace.
Michel Macedo: 5/10
Coming on in the 76th minute, Macedo did not impact the game much but did the defensive job aptly.
David Garcia: N/A
Garcia came on in the 86th minute and had no time to affect the game.
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 6/10
He was not tested much despite the fact that Las Palmas were the stronger side of the two in the first half. He was beaten only once through a penalty in the top corner.
Sergi Roberto: 7.5/10
The right-back was a star performer for FC Barcelona today. He made a lot of defensive contributions to keep Barcelona in the lead in the first half. He was involved in attack as well, being part of most of the good things happening on Barcelona's right. He must be feeling hard done due to the controversial penalty that was given.
Thomas Vermaelen: 7/10
Vermaelen had a good game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks and clearances and was a calm head in the heart of the Barca defence.
Samuel Umtiti: 6.5/10
The diminutive Frenchman gave in a trademark performance. He was strong in tackles and aware of lurking dangers. However, he did appear way too casual at times.
Lucas Digne: 6.5/10
The French International was much quieter today. He was left with a lot to deal on his flank and generally did struggle, although he was great in defence. A mixed day at the office for him.
Aleix Vidal: 4.5/10
Given a chance to play ahead of Ousmane Dembele, Vidal was disappointing tonight. He looked uninvolved and lethargic as he constantly lost the ball in promising positions. He was subbed off for Dembele.
Sergio Busquets: 7/10
The Spanish 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.
Paulinho: 5/10
The Brazilian midfielder had a poor game. Unimaginative in attack and generally lethargic, he struggled to have any say on the game. He was subbed off for Ivan Rakitic.
Andres Iniesta: 7/10
He was crafty in possession, kept the ball in tight spaces and brought much-needed urgency into Barca's game. His vision on and off the ball is a thing to marvel. Iniesta was probably the best Barcelona midfielder of the night.
Lionel Messi: 7.5/10
The Argentine scored another freekick tonight, a common sight this season. Though he was a bit silent in the second half, he was absolutely unplayable in the first half.
Luis Suarez: 5.5/10
Luis Suarez did everything right today, except scoring. He pressed defenders, he ran the channels, hold up play, crossing, everything. Maybe it's just a blip after returning to form since the turn of the year
Substitutions
Ivan Rakitic: 6/10
His introduction at the half-time changed Barcelona's fortunes. After a dismal last season, he finally appears to be returning to his best. He was lively in his 35 minutes on the pitch and contributed heavily in both attack and defence.
Philippe Coutinho: 6/10
Once he came on the pitch, Barcelona took total control of the game. However, for all his efforts, Barcelona could not break Las Palmas' resolve.
Ousmane Dembele: 6/10
Brought on for Vidal, the French youngster brought a spark of creativity and pace in Barcelona's midfield, even though it was for a short span.
