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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Nov 1, 2014 at 7pm UK
 
Celta Vigo logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Larrivey (55')

Player Ratings: Barcelona 0-1 Celta Vigo

Sports Mole takes a look at how each individual player performed during Celta Vigo's stunning 1-0 La Liga win over Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona have now lost successive La Liga matches after going down 1-0 at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday evening.

The home side had a number of excellent opportunities throughout the contest, but Joaquin Larrivey's second-half strike proved the difference.

The defeat has left Barca in third spot in the table, two points behind new leaders Real Madrid.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during the fascinating La Liga affair.


Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona looks on during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Club Leon at Camp Nou on August 18, 2014© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Did not have an awful lot to do aside from pick the ball out of his own net in the second period. Was let down by his defence this evening. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Spent most of the match attacking down the right, but the Brazilian was sloppy in possession of the ball. Crossing needed to be a lot better from the right-back. (6/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Was caught out for the Celta goal, while he was untidy in possession. Has had a good season thus far, but found Nolito and Larrivey tough to contain this evening. (6/10)

Javier Mascherano: Again, the most steady of the Barcelona defence, but he did not step forward on enough occasions. Has outperformed Sergio Busquets in midfield in recent matches. (6/10)

Jordi Alba: Proved a threat down the left and set up Neymar with a brilliant cross in the second period, but the Brazilian rattled the crossbar. Far from his side's most disappointing player. (6/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Made a meal of a soft challenge from Pablo Hernandez in the first period, with that incident summing up his performance as a whole. Poor. (5/10)

Rafinha: Showed flashes of his undoubted talent, but struggled to produce an end product. Needed a little bit more from Busquets and Ivan Rakitic alongside him. (6/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Made such a strong start to the season, but has almost lost his way in recent weeks. Failed to have any influence on the match despite his team's dominance of the ball. (5/10)

Attack

Neymar: Hit the woodwork twice on what was a frustrating night for the Brazilian. Should have scored at least twice, but just could not find the back of the net for his side. (6/10)

Lionel Messi: Always a threat for Barca, but was another guilty of missing guilt-edged opportunities. Almost rescued his side a point late on, but saw his excellent free kick hit the crossbar. (6/10)

Luis Suarez: Had a positive home debut. Linked well with Neymar and Messi, but passed up an excellent second-half chance by firing a point-blank header straight into the arms of Sergio Alvarez. (6/10)

Substitutes

Xavi: Provided balance in the middle of the park, but could not link with his forward players. Still has a role to play for Barca despite his advancing years. (6/10)

Pedro: Entered with Xavi after 66 minutes, but failed to have any influence on the match. Gave the ball away too often and picked up a stoppage-time booking in the final act of the match. (5/10)


Celta Vigo's players celebrate after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 1, 2014© Getty Images

CELTA

Goal

Sergio Alvarez: Stunning performance from the goalkeeper, who made sensational save after sensational save at the Camp Nou. Neymar, Messi and Suarez were all denied on multiple occasions by the Spaniard. (9/10)

Defence

Hugo Mallo: Was caused a few problems by Neymar and Alba, but overall, had a strong night. Was not seen as an attacking threat, but made some crucial challenges, especially in the second period. (7/10)

Sergi Gomez: Put in an excellent display against his former club. Made a number of crucial blocks and was calm in possession of the ball. Barcelona might regret letting him leave. (8/10)

Gustavo Cabral: Was seen hugging a number of Barcelona players in the tunnel before the match, but they will not want to embrace him after an important defensive performance. (8/10)

Jonny: Star moment came in the first period, when he somehow diverted Messi's goal-bound strike onto the crossbar. Managed to keep Suarez quiet in a wide position. (8/10)

Midfield

Nemanja Radoja: Did not see too much of the ball, but was excellent without it. Dropped deeper and deeper as Barcelona turned the screw in the latter stages of the contest. (7/10)

Pablo Hernandez: Picked up an unfortunate booking in the first period and was the first Celta player to be changed in the second period. Ran out of legs after putting a lot into the first 45 minutes. (6/10)

Michael Krohn-Dehli: Given licence to roam in the middle of the park and thrived in that particular role. Was extremely intelligent in possession of the ball. (7/10)

Fabian Orellana: Had some bright moments in the first period, but did not really feature in the second half. That said, continued to put the work in for his team. (7/10)

Attack

Nolito: A thorn in Barcelona's side. Looked a threat each time that he had possession in the final third and set up Larrivey for his strike with a clever back-heel. (8/10)

Joaquin Larrivey: Caused Mascherano and Mathieu all sorts of problems with his size and movement in the final third, while he showed Barcelona how to finish with an excellent second-half goal. (8/10)

Substitutes

Borja Fernandez: Only made his league debut earlier this season, but showed maturity after being thrown on after 69 minutes. Brilliant in possession and helped his team defensively. (7/10)

Charles: Only had 15 minutes on the field, but could have scored twice. Headed over from close range, before forcing Bravo into a smart save late on. Impressive cameo from the Brazilian. (7/10)

Levy Madinda: Did not enter until the final moments, but won a vital free kick late on after running away from Pedro. (6/10)


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Celta Vigo's players celebrate after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs RC Celta de Vigo at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 1, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves134181422-813
17Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
20Valencia11146817-97


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