• BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 6 - Not much to deal with in the first half and despite a big save to keep the score at 0-0, Valencia scored from the resulting corner with Paulista at the back post. Not much the German goalkeeper could have done about Soler’s wonder-strike in the 83rd minute. Reuters
    BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 6 - Not much to deal with in the first half and despite a big save to keep the score at 0-0, Valencia scored from the resulting corner with Paulista at the back post. Not much the German goalkeeper could have done about Soler’s wonder-strike in the 83rd minute. Reuters
  • Ronald Araujo 6 - Could have opened the scoring when on the end of a Lionel Messi freekick which was curled perfectly into the area where only the 22-year-old could get it. EPA
    Ronald Araujo 6 - Could have opened the scoring when on the end of a Lionel Messi freekick which was curled perfectly into the area where only the 22-year-old could get it. EPA
  • Gerard Pique 6 - A dominant display in the air from the experienced defender but the 34-year-old’s lack of pace made him uncomfortable dealing with balls in behind. Getty Images
    Gerard Pique 6 - A dominant display in the air from the experienced defender but the 34-year-old’s lack of pace made him uncomfortable dealing with balls in behind. Getty Images
  • Clement Lenglet 6 - Good on the ball throughout the match, but the Frenchman's lack of concentration proved costly after letting Paulista get free to score from a corner. Getty Images
    Clement Lenglet 6 - Good on the ball throughout the match, but the Frenchman's lack of concentration proved costly after letting Paulista get free to score from a corner. Getty Images
  • Sergino Dest 6 - The American wing-back was quieter than usual amid a tough battle against Jose Gaya. The Valencia defender often found space down Dest’s flank in the first half and made it difficult for the Barca man to get into dangerous areas. AP
    Sergino Dest 6 - The American wing-back was quieter than usual amid a tough battle against Jose Gaya. The Valencia defender often found space down Dest’s flank in the first half and made it difficult for the Barca man to get into dangerous areas. AP
  • Frenkie De Jong 7 - Instinctive runs in behind Valencia lines saw the Dutchman in plenty of good positions, but the midfielder should have had an assist when picking out Pedri inside the box early on. A strong header from an Alba cross was eventually palmed into Griezmann to take the lead. AP
    Frenkie De Jong 7 - Instinctive runs in behind Valencia lines saw the Dutchman in plenty of good positions, but the midfielder should have had an assist when picking out Pedri inside the box early on. A strong header from an Alba cross was eventually palmed into Griezmann to take the lead. AP
  • Sergio Busquets 6 - A typical display from the Spaniard as the anchorman transitioned the ball accurately into Barcelona’s key players while breaking up play against Valencia’s attacking moves. Getty Images
    Sergio Busquets 6 - A typical display from the Spaniard as the anchorman transitioned the ball accurately into Barcelona’s key players while breaking up play against Valencia’s attacking moves. Getty Images
  • Pedri 6 - A majestic sequence by Barcelona should have been finished by Pedri who missed the target from inside the box. A hardworking performance but the execution has to be better when chances present themselves. AP
    Pedri 6 - A majestic sequence by Barcelona should have been finished by Pedri who missed the target from inside the box. A hardworking performance but the execution has to be better when chances present themselves. AP
  • Jordi Alba 8 - The veteran wingback was at the heart of a number of Barcelona attacks and stretched the play regularly against his former club. A stand-out performance from Jordi Alba, whose ball led to Barca’s second goal of the game. Getty Images
    Jordi Alba 8 - The veteran wingback was at the heart of a number of Barcelona attacks and stretched the play regularly against his former club. A stand-out performance from Jordi Alba, whose ball led to Barca’s second goal of the game. Getty Images
  • Lionel Messi 8 - The Argentine’s link-up play continued to ask questions of the Valencia backline and a clever ball over the top forced a handball for the resulting penalty. While the Barcelona star's penalty was nowhere near his usual standard, Messi soon curled a freekick in off of the post. Magical. Getty Images
    Lionel Messi 8 - The Argentine’s link-up play continued to ask questions of the Valencia backline and a clever ball over the top forced a handball for the resulting penalty. While the Barcelona star's penalty was nowhere near his usual standard, Messi soon curled a freekick in off of the post. Magical. Getty Images
  • Antoine Griezmann 7 - The Frenchman was quiet for the majority of the game but found space and made no mistake when Jasper Cillissen pushed the ball out into the striker’s path. EPA
    Antoine Griezmann 7 - The Frenchman was quiet for the majority of the game but found space and made no mistake when Jasper Cillissen pushed the ball out into the striker’s path. EPA
  • SUBS: Ilaix Moriba (Pedri, 75) N/R - Provided some energy in the middle of the pitch as Barcelona looked to control the final stages of the game. AFP
    SUBS: Ilaix Moriba (Pedri, 75) N/R - Provided some energy in the middle of the pitch as Barcelona looked to control the final stages of the game. AFP
  • Sergi Roberto (Dest, 75) N/R - On as a more defensive option with Barca holding a two-goal lead. Reuters
    Sergi Roberto (Dest, 75) N/R - On as a more defensive option with Barca holding a two-goal lead. Reuters

Football

Barcelona player ratings v Valencia: Lionel Messi magical, Jordi Alba stars against former club

Catalans earn a 3-2 win at the Mestalla to keep pressure on La Liga title rivals

Adam Brown

May 03, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Lionel Messi led Barcelona to a quick-fire comeback to win 3-2 at Valencia on Sunday and keep the pressure on La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Barca fell behind in the 50th minute when Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista headed into an empty net from a corner after keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen had stumbled to the ground in his attempt to come for the ball.

The Catalans, who had blown the chance to go top of the league with a shock 2-1 defeat at home by Granada on Thursday, reacted well to going behind and soon won a penalty thanks to a handball from Valencia's Toni Lato.

Messi saw his spot-kick saved by former teammate Jasper Cillessen but Valencia failed to clear the danger and the Argentine followed up to score on the second rebound in the 57th minute.

Antoine Griezmann gave Barca the lead six minutes later, also netting on the rebound after Cillessen could only parry a header from Frenkie de Jong, while Messi looked to have clinched the points in the 69th by firing a freekick in off the post.

Valencia got back into contention when midfielder Carlos Soler scored with an unstoppable strike from long range in the 83rd and had a couple of half chances to equalise but Barca clung on for the win.

Ronald Koeman's side are third on 74 points with four games remaining, level with second-placed Real Madrid and two behind leaders Atletico Madrid after both sides won on Saturday.

Assessing the performances from the Mestalla, Adam Brown has provided his ratings for the Barcelona players in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

EUROPWEUESSOC