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Deportivo La Coruña
Ruben – 7/10
Without their goalkeeper, this game would have ended in a cricket score. Ruben was alert throughout to add a little respect to the outcome; he was equal to Messi, Suarez and Vidal at times. He rightfully celebrated an impressive save from the Argentine’s penalty in the second half. Certainly the visitors’ best player in this one.
Fernando Navarro – 5/10
Navarro, a former Barcelona youth player, didn’t do much wrong overall but he was definitely overawed by Messi’s movement and Sergi Roberto getting forward. He was the man most at fault for allowing the latter acres of space in the build-up to the third goal and Suarez’s second. Roberto picked his spot first time, but it was too easy.
Fabian Schar – 5/10
Schar committed a few fouls but can’t really be faulted too much because most defenders would struggle to contain Suarez and Messi in the kind of form, but he and Sidnei failed to pick up Messi, the only man onside, as the home side opened the scoring.
Sidnei – 5/10
The Brazilian was marginally more impressive than his partner at the back. Neither had much hope of stopping Barcelona’s constant attacking waves once Messi broke through the lines between defence and midfield, but at least he attempted to bring the ball out and start progressively moving forward for the visitors.
Juanfran – 5/10
The right-back got forward when he could and helped support a Depor side that certainly deserves credit for their bravery. They started quickly, as did Barça, and it was quite open early on. Yet, Juanfran was targeted by Barcelona and a lot of their early attacks were started on the left, and he struggled to contain Alba and Suarez when he drifted wide to create space.
Celso Borges – 5/10
Borges didn’t have too much of an impact going forward, and he was powerless to stop Messi grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. Deportivo really couldn’t handle Barcelona between the lines and it showed in the Costa Rican’s performance, especially after his tame early shot failed to test Ter Stegen from distance.
Guilherme – 4/10
Another one, who couldn’t get a grip of the game, Guilherme didn’t get close to the Barcelona midfield and failed to track his fellow countryman Paulinho as he got forward to grab a couple of goals. The tone was set for Andres Iniesta when he was given freedom to lay off for Messi’s first miss of the evening. He went on to dominate the first hour or so with Guilherme replaced just after.
Adrian Lopez – 6/10
As a former star for Atletico Madrid, Lopez was one of the more recognisable threats for Depor. The experienced attacker was not afraid to attack the Barcelona defence, but there wasn’t much end product attached on the few occasions he got through.
Emre Colak – 4/10
Arguably the worst player on the pitch on Sunday night, Colak allowed the game to completely pass him by as he was unable to escape Rakitic’s watch. He was substituted in the second half, but Depor really didn’t carry any threat centrally and he was replaced after an hour.
Carles Gil – 6/10
Aston Villa fans will have been frustrated to see Gil put in an impressive performance at the Camp Nou. On loan from the Championship side, the youngest player on the pitch from the start, at 25, did look like he could hurt Barcelona. He had a decent effort in the first half before crossing for Perez in the second.
Lucas Perez – 5/10
Depor’s local boy and talisman fed off scraps all night, but was at the heart of their decent start and led the line well. He ran the channels well and made space for teammates but failed to carve out many clear-cut opportunities on goal.
Substitutes:
Federico Valverde – 5/10
Guilherme’s replacement was unable to stop the home side’s flow and thus couldn’t give Depor a foothold in the game. It was always going to be tough dealing with Barça in this form, though.
Zakaria Bakkali – 4/10
The talented Belgian had a tough task but couldn’t give the visitors’ a threat in the middle during his half-hour cameo.
Borja Valle Balonga – N/A
Came on with six minutes remaining, replacing Gil.
