Lionel Messi 8, Marc-Andre ter Stegen 9, Sergio Busquets 5; Barcelona ratings v Dynamo Kyiv

A nervy win for Spanish giants will keep the pressure on coach Ronald Koeman

BARCA PLAYER RATINGS V DYNAMO KIEV: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, 9 – Returned from injury to make his first start of the season, and was Barca’s man of the match. He had very little to do early on, but he came to life when he was called into action to save well from Buyalskyi. He made further crucial saves to deny Supriaha and Tsygankov, and was unlucky to parry the ball into the path of Tsygankov for Kyiv’s consolation. Getty

Sergino Dest, 6 – The American looked dangerous going forward and was at his most potent when reaching the byline and cutting the ball back into the box, which he did several times. Was sometimes caught out on the break, though. AFP

Frenkie De Jong, 6 – Filled in at centre-back alongside Pique and had a difficult evening. Kyiv had plenty of clear-cut scoring chances and De Jong looked uncomfortable. AFP

Gerard Pique, 7 – Pique had to use all his experience in a tense end to the first half as Kyiv threatened to level with the score at 1-0. In the second half, he found himself in the right place at the right time to glance Fati’s cross to double Barca’s advantage. Looked to have handled the ball in a dangerous area late on, but the referee waved play on. Reuters

Jordi Alba, 5 – A poor night for Alaba, who struggled to keep Kyiv’s depleted side under wraps. Barca looked vulnerable on the break but also on both flanks. Reuters

Sergio Busquets, 5 – Barca’s midfield struggled to assert their authority on the game and Busquets was guilty of failing to keep possession. The match sometimes passed him by, and he was replaced in the second half. AP

Miralem Pjanic, 6 – A frustrating evening for Pjanic who, while looking dangerous going forward, didn’t do enough to dominate in the middle. Doesn’t seem to be clicking when playing alongside Busquets. AFP

Pedri, 7 – The youngster was unlucky to find the net. First, after getting on the end of a pull-back from Dest, he thundered the ball against the bar. Then, just before the break, he failed to beat Neshcheret when he connected with another Dest cross. Getty

Ansu Fati, 8 – He was a constant menace on the left, going close and forcing a save from Neshcheret when he cut through both Kedziora and Tsygankov. Moments later, he headed just wide from a corner. He was most effective when cutting in from the left, and he did so again before crossing for Pique to head home Barca’s winner. EPA

Lionel Messi, 8 – Made his 150th European appearance for Barcelona and was dangerous all evening. He dictated the early play and was brought down in the fifth minute. He dusted himself off to convert from the spot for his fourth of the season, all of which have come from the penalty spot. Could have had more but for a fine performance from Neshcheret in the Kyiv goal. Getty

Antoine Griezmann, 6 – The Frenchman has been criticised for not contributing, but tonight he had opportunities to score. He came close early on and then missed from six yards with the goal gaping following Neshcheret’s save from Fati’s effort. That miss seemed to dent his confidence, and he went missing for much of the match thereafter. AP

SUBS: Ousmane Dembele (Griezmann, 60) 8 – Seems to make the best impact for the team when he comes on as a sub. He had a shot soon after entering the game, and he looked lively in the ten minutes he was on the field. Getty

Sergi Roberto (Pjanic 60) 6 – Came close with a header moments after coming on, but his effort was denied by Neshcheret from point-blank range. EPA

Clement Lenglet (Busquets 73) N/A – Came on in an attempt from Ronald Koeman to shore up the defence, but he gave away a lot of fouls, heaping more pressure on his teammates. Getty

Francisco Trincao (Fati 73) N/A – Had big shoes to fill when coming on to replace the impressive Fati, and struggled to get into the game. Getty

Carles Alena (Pedri 83) N/A – More game time for the 22-year-old. Endured a tense finish, but made few errors when coming on. Getty

Lionel Messi scored another penalty but Barcelona had Marc-Andre ter Stegen to thank for a nervy Champions League 2-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv which will do little to ease the pressure on coach Ronald Koeman.

Goalkeeper ter Stegen had to make a string of excellent stops at Camp Nou to save Barca from slipping up against a depleted Dynamo side, who were without nine first-team players after they tested positive for coronavirus.

Viktor Tsygankov gave Dynamo hope with 15 minutes left after Messi scored a penalty and Gerard Pique headed in but ter Stegen's heroics ensured Barcelona held on for their third victory out of three in Group G.

Their 100 per cent record so far in the Champions League, which included an impressive performance at Juventus last week, has come in stark contrast to a stumbling start to the season in La Liga.

A 1-1 draw away at Alaves on Saturday made it four league games without a win and leaves Barcelona sitting 12th in the table, eight points behind Real Madrid.

"In the Champions League we're fine, in the league we have to change but I'm convinced we will," said Pique. "The mood is better, there are new players, young players who are bringing dynamism to the group and the way we play."

Victory against Dynamo was all-important for morale and for Koeman, whose future is uncertain given a new president will take over in the next three months after the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Yet there were no celebrations from the players at full-time and Koeman's face throughout was one of angst and frustration as ter Stegen was repeatedly called upon.

"We are happy because we won," said Koeman. "But we have to play better than we did today. We have to improve, above all without the ball, where we haven't played well."