Barcelona 1-0 Real Valladolid: 5 Hits and Flops

#1 Hit: Jordi Masip

Masip was their best performer and didn't deserve to end up on the losing side against his former team

Playing against your former side can often only go one of two ways: you perform well and remind them what they're missing, or prove them right for allowing you to leave. Jordi Masip was the Man of the Match on this occasion, but his performance also emphasised just how difficult it can be for goalkeepers to earn their chance centre-stage.

The 30-year-old, who had been at Barca since 2004, joined Valladolid on a free in the summer of 2017 and hasn't looked back. He proved a key component of the club's promotion campaign in 17/18 and has kept an impressive seven clean sheets already this term - despite having an inconsistent backline in-front of him.

Here, he flourished on his return to the Nou Camp. After a warm embrace with Messi during the pre-match pleasantries, it was down to business for the Spaniard and the visitors had their 'keeper to thank for keeping them in the match throughout.

He made seven saves including an excellent penalty stop to thwart Messi's second attempt and consequent rebound on his goal-line. His distribution was good and he also displayed great anticipation to rush off his line, closing down angles as Barca were often baring down on-goal in numbers.

Boateng, Messi and Suarez found themselves regularly frustrated as he either made their efforts look tame or force them into mistakes in front of goal, where you'd usually bet on them to convert their respective chances. If anyone deserved to prevail in this fixture, Masip certainly did. Displays like these certainly improve his reputation and are likely to attract interest from other European clubs too, given Valladolid's inconsistent form this term.

Stats' source: WhoScored