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Player Ratings: Celta Vigo 0-1 Barcelona

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during Barcelona's 1-0 La Liga win at 10-man Celta Vigo.

Barcelona moved four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo at the Balaidos on Sunday.

The only goal of the match came after 73 minutes, with Jeremy Mathieu heading a Xavi free kick into the back of the net.

Celta, meanwhile, finished the game with 10 men following a late red card for Fabian Orellana.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed in Vigo.


Celta's Argentinian defender Gustavo Cabral (R) vies with Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez during the Spanish league football match RC Celta de Vigo vs FC Barcelona at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on April 5, 2015© Getty Images

CELTA VIGO

Goal

Sergio Alvarez: Made a really smart save to deny Lionel Messi in the first period and could not do much with the winner. Can be pleased with his performance against the Catalan outfit. (6/10)

Defence

Hugo Mallo: Had a strong game at full-back. Was always prepared to break forward and came close with a curling effort late on. Neymar struggled against the Spaniard. (7/10)

Gustavo Cabral: Helped keep Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar quiet with an impressive performance. Made a number of strong blocks and was also calm in possession of the ball. (8/10)

Andreu Fontas: Would have been keen to impress against his former club and the defender answered the challenge. Did not put a foot wrong alongside Cabral at centre-back. (8/10)

Jonny Castro: Caused problems when he broke forward and combined well with Nolito. Helped keep Barcelona's front three extremely quiet at the Balaidos. (7/10)

Midfield

Augusto Fernandez: Proved a threat in the final third and was also prepared to help out his defence when needed. Impressed during what was a box-to-box performance. (7/10)

Pablo Hernandez: Like Fernandez, Hernandez was also prepared to occupy both defensive and forward areas. Was replaced late on as Celta searched for a late equaliser. (7/10)

Michael Krohn-Dehli: Neat and tidy in possession, but did not have much of an impact in the final third. Was replaced in Celta's first change after 67 minutes. (6/10)

Attack

Fabian Orellana: Had a decent game in the final third, but saw red in the latter stages after bizarrely throwing a piece of turf at the face of Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets. (6/10)

Joaquin Larrivey: Had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the first period, but fired high of the crossbar under little pressure. Not the hero against Barcelona this time around. (6/10)

Nolito Quite comfortably his team's most potent attacking threat. Caused the visitors a number of problems in the final third and was unlucky not to score. (7/10)

Substitutes

Nemanja Radoja: Did well to pick up the pace of the match after entering the final 23 minutes. Could not help his team recover in the final 15 minutes though. (6/10)

Charles: Found himself unmarked inside the Barcelona box late on, but was denied by a wonderful challenge from Gerard Pique. Will have been disappointed not to start. (6/10)

Santi Mina: Was thrown on after 83 minutes as Celta looked to recover from Mathieu's header, but the Spanish youngster did not have too much service in the final third. (6/10)


BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Made a really smart save to deny Larrivey in the early stages and proved strong from set pieces. Has been one of Barca's most consistent performers this season. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Had a golden chance to register in the second period when the score was still 0-0, but fired horribly wide. Distribution in the final third was also disappointing. (6/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Proved the match-winner as his header secured all the points for the visitors. Was also very strong at the heart of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. (8/10)

Gerard Pique: Man-of-the-match performance from the Spaniard, who made a host of excellent challenges throughout the match. One of Europe's best defenders at the moment. (9/10)

Adriano: Had a decent enough game at left-back, but does not offer the same threat as Jordi Alba, who missed this game with a hamstring problem. (7/10)

Midfield

Sergio Busquets: Proved crucial for Barca as he spoiled a host of Celta attacks throughout the match. Made a stunning challenge in the final minute to deny Nolito a shot on goal. (8/10)

Rafinha: Not great from the midfielder, who failed to impress against the club he represented on loan last season. Never really threatened to make his mark. (6/10)

Andres Iniesta: As expected, the Spaniard's passing was neat and tidy, but it was another game where he failed to make a major contribution. Was subbed for Pedro after 75 minutes. (6/10)

Attack

Neymar: Was the poorest player on the pitch in Vigo. Had a super strike disallowed in the second period, but that was his only contribution during what was a frustrating night. (5/10)

Luis Suarez: Occupied the two Celta centre-backs with a number of bright runs, but the striker's movement did not bring about many chances. Quiet night overall. (6/10)

Lionel Messi: Had an excellent chance to put the game beyond Celta in stoppage time, but lifted his effort over the crossbar from close range. Not the Argentine's best performance. (6/10)

Substitutes

Xavi: Made such a difference to Barcelona during his 30 minutes on the field. Set up Mathieu's header with a super free kick and was class personified in possession of the ball. (7/10)

Pedro: Cannot work his way into the starting XI at the moment, but provided an injection of pace from the sidelines as he entered for the final 15 minutes. (6/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Only given the final three minutes of normal time, but helped Barcelona retain possession in the final moments when Celta attempted to turn the screw. (6/10)


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Celta's Argentinian defender Gustavo Cabral (R) vies with Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez during the Spanish league football match RC Celta de Vigo vs FC Barcelona at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo on April 5, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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