Barcelona ratings v Celta Vigo: Pedri 9, Pique 8, Lewandowski 5

Pedri's strike sends Barca back to the top of La Liga

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  BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 9 - Fortunate that Aspas struck a 47th minute shot over. Was beaten after 69 minutes, but his side’s offside trap saw the effort disallowed. Saved with his feet from Aspas on 83 and then made three more saves in the final minutes. EPA

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  Alejandro Balde 7 - The 18-year-old usually plays left-back but was at right-back against Celta and performed well in his seventh straight league start, especially when combing with Raphiniha. EPA

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  Marcos Alonso 7 - First league start for Barça and played at centre-back – given the injuries to the other central defenders. Tested against Aspas and Celta’s other forwards running at him, but kept a clean sheet – thanks to a block he made. EPA

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  Gerard Pique 8 - Did well in the first half, where he headed over as Barça looked for a second goal. Cleared the ball away from the feet of Aspas six minutes from time as the Galicians threatened to take a point. Turned inside out by Larsen at one point. EPA

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  Jordi Alba 7 - Only his third league start of the season. Started the move which led to opening goal on 16 minutes. More touches – 113- than anyone else on the pitch. Creates chances, gets forward. Booked. EPA

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  Sergio Busquets 6 - Tried to hold firm as Celta battered the Barcelona goal in the last 10 minutes. And he did, but he was wobbling. Booked. EPA

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  Gavi 8 - Tidy, tenacious, pocket battleship who had his best game in a month. Crossed for Pedri for the opener. Almost got on the end of a 27th minute cross. Getty Images

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  Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Celta Vigo - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - October 9, 2022 FC Barcelona's Pedri celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS / Albert Gea TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

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  Raphinha 7 - Was brought down on 40 minutes but his appeals for a penalty were ignored. A threat, though he can frustrate. AFP

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  Robert Lewandowski 5 - First time he didn’t score in a league game since the opening day of the season. Didn’t score v Inter last week either. Needs to be on it against Inter in Wednesday’s must-win Champions League return. AFP

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  Ferran Torres 6 - Had Barca’s first shot on target after 14 minutes. The seventh straight game in which he’s featured for Barça – and the seventh in which he’s failed to score or assist. EPA

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  SUBS: Ousmane Dembele 5 - On for Raphinha after 63. Swept a shot against goalkeeper on 82, but less impactful than in recent games. Reuters

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  Ansu Fati 6 - On for Ferran Torres after 63. Bought pace to the attack. Reuters

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  Frenkie de Jong 6 - On for Pedri after 63. Made a few runs, but less of an influence than usual. AFP

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  Sergi Roberto NA - On for Balde after 76. Getty Images

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  Eric Garcia NA - On for Alba after 86 and looked to have made a costly foul, but got away with it. Made two key blocks in his short time on the pitch. Getty Images

Pedri's first-half goal gave Barcelona a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo at Camp Nou on Sunday to move them back to the top of La Liga.

Barca are level on 22 points with Real Madrid after eight games but have the better goal difference before the pair face each other next Sunday in El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Pedri scored in the 17th minute with a close-range strike from a rebound after taking advantage of a poor clearance by defender Unai Nunez as he tried to clear a Gavi cross.

After a good start to the first part of the season, Celta have lost three of their last four league games and are 11th on 10 points, four above the relegation zone.