Sporting Gijon
Pichu Cuellar – 5/10
There was very little he could have done about any of Barca’s goals on the night. Some might say that he could have done better to stop Neymar’s free-kick, but that was a sublime shot, well-placed and fiercely struck.
Lillo Castellano – 4/10
He had the toughest job at the Camp Nou on the night – to contain Neymar. As expected, it was a task that he failed at.
Juan Rodriguez – 4/10
He had a mixed game. For Barca’s first two goals, he shouldn’t have allowed Messi and Suarez to run into space so easily, but he also made some crucial clearances in the second half.
Jean-Sylvain Babin – 4/10
His poor headed clearance gave Suarez the chance to restore Barca’s two-goal cushion, and the Uruguayan made him pay with a thunderous volley.
Elderson Echiejile – 6/10
It was a good club debut for the Nigerian. He stood strong against the threat posed by Rafinha.
Xavi Torres – 4/10
He was completely overrun by the Barcelona midfield. he found the movement of Rakitic, Denis and Messi to difficult to cope with.
Douglas – 4/10
The former Barca man would have had a point to prove when he stepped on the field. But he wasn’t allowed to prove whatever point he may have had.
Nacho Cases – 4/10
On a difficult night for Gijon’s midfielders, he hardly managed to get significant touches of the football.
Sergio Alvarez – 4/10
Like Torres and Cases, he was overrun in midfield. Gijon’s passing success rate was an abysmal 58% and that was down to the fact that their midfielders never got hold of the ball.
Burgui – 7/10
He was comfortably Gijon’s best player of the match. His pace and skill troubled Mascherano for the 60 minutes that he was on the pitch. His shot hit the post before Castro put the ball in the net. Soon after, he had a very good left-footed effort brilliantly saved by Ter-Stegen.
Carlos Castro – 6/10
He got himself a goal against Barcelona. That was the only thing he could take home from the game.
Substitutes:
Victor Rodriguez – 4/10
He replaced Alvarez at half-time but didn’t fare any better.
Isma Lopez – 4/10
He hardly touched the ball, and that was disappointing especially considering that he had to replace Burgui.
Mikel Vesga – 4/10
The man on loan from Athletic Bilbao got 15 minutes on the pitch, but by then, Gijon were dead and buried.
