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Valencia logo
La Liga
Nov 30, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Busquets (94')

Player Ratings: Valencia 0-1 Barcelona

Sports Mole analyses how each individual player performed during Barcelona's 1-0 win over Valencia in La Liga.

Barcelona moved to within one point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 1-0 win over Valencia on Sunday.

The only goal of the match came in the fourth minute of stoppage time, when Sergio Busquets fired home from close range after Diego Alves had denied Neymar inside the box.

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


Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi vies with Valencia's French midfielder Sofiane Feghouli during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on November 30, 2014© Getty Images

VALENCIA

Goal

Diego Alves: Made a stunning save to deny Neymar late on and was extremely unlucky with the goal. Can be pleased with his overall performance despite the defeat. (7/10)

Defence

Antonio Barragan: Made some crucial challenges, especially in the second period, but did not have much of an impact in the final third of the field. (7/10)

Nicolas Otamendi: Simply excellent at the heart of the defence. Contained the Barcelona attack and was also classy and composed in possession of the ball. (8/10)

Shkodran Mustafi: Impressed alongside Otamendi, with Valencia restricting Barca to very few chances. Has been excellent for Los Che so far this season. (7/10)

Jose Gaya: Set up Alvaro Negredo with an excellent cross in the second period and was also strong in defensive areas. A solid display from the full-back. (7/10)

Midfield

Dani Parejo: Got through plenty of running at the Mestalla, but let his team down from set pieces. Departed with an injury in the latter stages of the contest. (6/10)

Andre Gomes: Came close with a clever first-half effort and was always involved for the home side. A classy performance from a classy operator. (7/10)

Javi Fuego: Was overshadowed by Gomes on the night, but still had a decent evening without pulling up too many trees. (6/10)

Attack

Sofiane Feghouli: Gave the Barca defence nightmares with his pace and movement in the final third. Was also prepared to help out his full-back when needed. (8/10)

Alvaro Negredo: Still working his way back to full fitness, but was a threat at the Mestalla. Had two or three strong chances, but could not make the breakthrough. (7/10)

Rodrigo: Given the nod over Paco Alcacer and certainly made a positive impression. Caused Dani Alves problems down the left and demonstrated his quality on the ball. (7/10)

Substitutes

Rodrigo de Paul: Replaced Rodrigo after 72 minutes, but did not really make his mark. Plenty of pace, but lacked an end product when needed. (6/10)

Paco Alcacer: Entered during a period where Barcelona were in control of the ball and therefore the Spaniard struggled to have a positive influence on the match. (6/10)

Filipe Augusto: Replaced Parejo after 84 minutes, but could not help his team hold out. (6/10)


Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona reacts as he fail to score during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and FC Barcelona at Estadi de Mestalla on November 30, 2014© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Heroic performance from the goalkeeper. Made two stunning saves in particular - denying Feghouli and Negredo in the second 45 minutes. (8/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Got forward on plenty of occasions, but could not produce a final ball. Also struggled to deal with Feghouli, especially in the first period of action. (6/10)

Gerard Pique: Cleared a Rodrigo effort off the line during what was an improved performance from the Spaniard. Slowly regaining his best form following a difficult period. (7/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Was booked in the first period for a late lunge on former teammate Feghouli and was the first Barca player to be replaced in the second period. (6/10)

Jordi Alba: Always looked a threat in the final third and did a better defensive job than Alves. Has arguably been his team's most consistent defender this season. (7/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Hardly featured during normal time, but came up with the goods in the 94th minute - scoring his first Barca goal in 14 months to secure all the points. (7/10)

Xavi: Enjoying a run in the side following an injury to Andres Iniesta, but struggled to make his mark. Tidy enough in possession, but no serious impact. (6/10)

Javier Mascherano: Flirted between defence and midfield at the Mestalla and his passing was excellent. Such a key player for the Catalan outfit these days. (7/10)

Attack

Neymar: Showed some nice touches in the final third, but never really threatened to make his mark. Needs to do more in these type of matches for his club. (6/10)

Lionel Messi: A rare off night for the in-form Argentine, who just never got going. Lost possession time after time outside the Valencia penalty box. (6/10)

Luis Suarez: Was unlucky to have a goal chalked off for offside in the second period and came close with a couple of attempts. Positive night for the striker, who was always dangerous. (7/10)

Substitutes

Ivan Rakitic: Replaced Mathieu after 69 minutes and gave the Catalan outfit a different option in midfield. (6/10)

Rafinha: Entered with Pedro after 80 minutes and showed some nice touches in the final third. Has had plenty of first-team football already this season. (6/10)

Pedro: Provided an injection of pace in the final third and immediately occupied another Valencia defender. (6/10)


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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi vies with Valencia's French midfielder Sofiane Feghouli during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs FC Barcelona at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on November 30, 2014
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