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Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-0 Real Sociedad

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed during Barcelona's 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga.

Neymar and Pedro were both on the scoresheet as Barcelona beat Real Sociedad 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday.

Neymar scored early in the second period, before a spectacular overhead kick from Pedro made sure of the points late on.

As it stands, this round of La Liga fixtures are the only confirmed matches in Spain's top flight before the end of the season. All Spanish football competitions will be suspended on May 16 amid a strike that relates to TV rights. The Spanish Football Federation are in a disagreement with the government, but there is hope that the situation will be rectified over the next week.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed at the Camp Nou.


Neymar of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Only had one save to make and in truth, it was fairly routine. Had plenty of crosses to deal with, however, and was nice and strong from anything that arrived inside his box. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Has been in excellent form in recent weeks and that continued here. Set up a couple of early chances with two beautiful crosses and was always a threat in the final third of the field. (7/10)

Gerard Pique: Had the lively Carlos Vela to mark for long spells and performed a good job. Never really looked in danger and was also excellent defending set pieces. (7/10)

Marc Bartra: Given a rare start at the Camp Nou and had a good game at the back. Headed just over the crossbar early in the second period and was really troubled down the other end. (7/10)

Adriano: Provides plenty of energy in wide areas, but just does not offer the same threat as Jordi Alba, who was rested ahead of the Juventus game. Did not do much wrong at the Camp Nou though. (6/10)

Midfield

Javier Mascherano: Slotted into central midfield and did so with ease. Screened his back four all afternoon and ensured that Sociedad struggled to make their mark in the final third. (7/10)

Xavi: Looks to be his final season in a Barcelona shirt, but the Spaniard is still a wonderful player at this level. Showed his quality from set pieces and was excellent in possession. (7/10)

Rafinha: Has been given plenty of football in recent weeks and had another solid game without making too much of an impression. Was replaced by Pedro in the 81st minute. (6/10)

Attack

Neymar: Had a dip in form earlier this year, but is now back to his best. Opened the scoring with a clever header at the far post and was always dangerous in the final third. (7/10)

Luis Suarez: Had a super chance to open the scoring inside 10 minutes, but headed an Alves cross wide of the post. Was always involved, however, and linked well with his fellow forwards. (7/10)

Lionel Messi: Once again the star of the show at the Camp Nou. Set up Neymar for the game's opening goal and caused Sociedad a whole host of problems each time he had possession. (8/10)

Substitutes

Sergio Busquets: Given the final 30 minutes and as always, the Spaniard was a calming presence. Helped stem the flow of pressure when Sociedad threatened to level late on. (7/10)

Andres Iniesta: Replaced Xavi in the 74th minute and took the captain's armband in the process. Calm and composed in possession of the ball and played a number of excellent passes. (7/10)

Pedro: Has really struggled for first-team football this season, but made his mark in the 85th minute when he scored a quite stunning over-head kick to make sure of the points. (7/10)


Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Inigo Martinez of Real Sociedad de Futbol during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou on May 9, 2015© Getty Images

SOCIEDAD

Goal

Geronimo Rulli: On the losing side at the Camp Nou, but was quite comfortably Sociedad's best player. Made a number of excellent saves and could do nothing with either goal. (8/10)

Defence

Carlos Martinez: Did his best to break forward, especially in the first period, but was caught out for Barcelona's first when he allowed Neymar time and space to head home from close range. (6/10)

Inigo Martinez: Maybe a touch fortunate not to concede a penalty in the first period, but made a host of super challenges throughout the match to frustrate the home side. (7/10)

Mikel Gonzalez: Was part of a defence that managed to stifle Barcelona for long spells, but found it difficult to contain the home side when the tempo increased after the break. (6/10)

Alberto de la Bella: Like Carlos Martinez, did his best to threaten in the final third, but the left-back's overall quality was not too impressive. Fairly solid in defensive positions. (6/10)

Midfield

Sergio Canales: Had some decent moments in possession of the ball, but struggled to make his mark in the final third and was replaced by Chory Castro in the 73rd minute. (6/10)

Esteban Granero: Had a positive first period as he kept possession, in addition to contributing in the final third, but the Spaniard faded in the second period and was replaced late on. (6/10)

Markel Bergara: Had Sociedad's best chance of the first period, but could only fire high and wide of the crossbar. Did not do much wrong, but found it tough, such was Barcelona's quality. (6/10)

Ruben Pardo: Neat and tidy in possession of the ball, but struggled to make his mark in the final third. Was a little too safe in forward areas, especially in the second period. (6/10)

Xabi Prieto: Led by example at the Camp Nou as he worked extremely hard to support Vela, but the Sociedad captain just did not see enough of the ball in forward areas. (6/10)

Attack

Carlos Vela: Still working his way back to fitness following a long-term injury. Threatened on a couple of occasions, but did not have much service to feed off in Barcelona. (6/10)

Substitutes

Chory Castro: Will have been disappointed not to have started, but was nice and bright during his 20 minutes on the field and caused some problems in the final third. (6/10)

Alfred Finnbogason: Had an opportunity to find the back of the net late on, but the striker fired straight at Bravo from close range after some poor Barcelona defending. (6/10)

Aritz Elustondo: Only played the final 30 seconds. (6/10)


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Neymar of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou on May 9, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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