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Eibar travelled to Camp Nou on matchday 5 of La Liga 2017/18, hoping to win some points on the road. However, things certainly did not go in their favour as a Lionel Messi masterclass ensued. The first half saw Messi and Paulinho score a piece as Eibar did challenge Barca a bit. However, the second half was a different story altogether.
The second period of the match saw five goals in total, including a consolation for Eibar. Messi scored three more to finish the match with four goals and atop of La Liga goalscorers chart. Sergi Enrich did pull a goal back after an initial Denis Suarez goal, but as it stood, the goal wasn't enough.
Let’s take a look at how the players fared for both the teams.
Barcelona
Ter Stegen: 8/10
The German International was the standout performer in goal last night. He pulled off brilliant saves including a one on one against Sergi Enrich in the first half apart from a number of routine saves. He could have done nothing about the goal.
Semedo: 9.5/10
Amazing, solid and reliable. The Portuguese is turning out to be a marvellous signing. He absolutely owned the right side of Barcelona half marauding up and down the pitch. Barcelona faithful can now move on from glory days of Alves.
Pique: 7/10
Pique had a good game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks and clearances and was a calm head in the heart of the Barca defence. However, he did let his guard down a bit once the match was in the bag.
Mascherano: 7.5/10
The Argentine international put in a good performance at the heart of the defence. He did not shy away from challenges and played the ball out well.
Digne: 8/10
The French fullback, like Semedo number, was immense last night. He took on players in attack, almost got a goal for himself and never allowed any Eibar player to have any sort of joy on his side. Great outing for him.
Busquets: 7/10
The Spanish International was influential throughout the game. He broke plays and started attacks from his own half. This was a good commanding display from him in the middle of the park. He assisted Messi's second goal with a fine first-time pass.
Paulinho: 8/10
Written off and ridiculed, this Brazilian international certainly knows how to shut his critics up. He scored Barcelona's second with a thumping header and was almost always a threat in attack. Amazing match for him which will boost his confidence a lot.
Iniesta: 6/10
Iniesta put in a good performance against Sociedad; he helped out in defence and used the ball wisely. However, he was not much influential in attack, far from what we have been accustomed to from him.
Denis Suarez: 8/10
Suarez seems to be growing in his role at Barca. It was a great performance from the youngster, who had a goal and a couple of silky touches and turns to show for.
Deulofeu: 7.5/10
He was quite influential for the Catalan side as he ran at defenders and used his physicality and pace very well as demonstrated throughout the match. His decision-making may need some improvement. He contributed in defence too.
Messi: 10/10
The diminutive Argentine was on-song after a not-so-great performance against Getafe. He scored four on the night and the only thing he did wrong was his freekick in the second half. He is absolutely deadly in that false nine role.
Substitutions
Roberto: 6.5/10
He came on for Iniesta and kept things tidy for the rest of the game.
Rakitic: 6/10
He was brought on for Busquets and kept things simple as he slotted well at the base of the midfield.
Vidal: 6.5/10
Late substitution but he did assist Messi's fourth.
Eibar
Dmitrovics: 6.5/10
Dmitrovics was helpless in goal and wasn't helped by his defence. Though he went the right way for Messi’s penalty, he was beaten for precision and could have done little about the other goals too. He did make a bunch of impressive saves throughout the match.
Arbilla: 4.5/10
One of many Eibar players who could not perform to their full potential. He struggled in defence as Denis looked quite threatening on his side of the pitch. He did not contribute much in attack too.
Oliviera: 4/10
A completely underwhelming performance as he was nowhere to be found for Barca's goals and then gave away the penalty with a rash challenge on Semedo. He would like to forget the night quite quickly.
Galvez: 4.5/10
Like his centre-back partner, Galvez too had a miserable performance at the heart of La Real’s defence. He was left for dead by Messi throughout the match and never really could mark him. He did make a few important interceptions and tackles
Junca: 6/10
He did fairly well against Deulofeu and defended well in general, probably the best Eibar defender of the night. Offensively, he provided an amazing cross for Enrich’s goal.
Garcia: 5/10
Garcia put in a decent display in the midfield as he screened his defence to some extent and also distributed the ball intelligently. However, he struggled against Messi and lost him several times.
Escalante: 5.5/10
Like his partner in the middle of the park, he too was exposed defensively by Messi and company (Paulinho??), who often just seemed to breeze past him. However, he did press energetically and was decent going forward too.
Capa: 5/10
Though he started well, he faded as the match wore on. He did not trouble Digne much and did not quite track the runs of Digne, who looked dangerous. He should be disappointed as to how things turned out.
Jordan: 5/10
The central attacking midfielder was fairly anonymous and was effectively marked out of the game by the metronomic Busquets. He will look forward to improving his performance after a tough outing.
Inui: 4.5/10
This was again a game to forget for Inui, who has been one of Eibar's better player this season, barring this fixture. He struggled to cause too many problems and his final passes were poor. He failed to provide any end product as Eibar struggled to score.
Enrich: 6/10
Up against Spanish international Gerard Pique, he held up the ball well and showed a good range of distribution. But the service to him was not good enough as he struggled to make a major impact. However, he did keep working and was rewarded with a goal.
Substitutions
Pena: 6.5/10
Brought on for Capa, he was a real nuisance but was not able to bag a goal. A good performance which gave Eibar some hope.
Charles: N/A
Late substitution.
Riviera: N/A
Late substitution.
