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Eibar logo
La Liga
Mar 14, 2015 at 5pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Messi (31' pen., 55')

Player Ratings: Eibar 0-2 Barcelona

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during Barcelona's 2-0 La Liga win at Eibar.

Barcelona moved four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 victory at struggling Eibar on Saturday.

Both of the away side's goals came from Lionel Messi, who has moved to the top of the scoring charts in the league, two clear of Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Eibar, meanwhile, are now only three points outside of the drop zone following their eighth straight league defeat.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed at the Ipurua.


Eibar's coach Gaizka Garitano reacts during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar vs Real Sociedad at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on August 24, 2014© Getty Images

EIBAR

Goal

Jaime Jimenez: Could not do anything with either of Messi's goals and made some smart saves in the second period. Can be pretty pleased with his performance as a whole. (6/10)

Defence

Eneko Boveda: Did his best to threaten in the final third and had a couple of positive runs, but spent much of the match defending due to Barcelona's dominance of possession. (6/10)

Borja Ekiza: Gave away a first-half penalty after handling a Messi strike inside the box. It was fairly unfortunate, but the defender's arms were raised when the ball made contact. (6/10)

Raul Navas: Helped frustrate the visitors with a strong first-half performance. Also made a number of crucial challenges in the second period on what was an impressive evening. (7/10)

Lillo: More comfortable at left-back, but started in a central area here. Made a couple of strong aerial clearances, but was a little untidy in possession of the ball. (6/10)

Didac Vila: On-loan AC Milan full-back helped keep Luis Suarez and Neymar quiet for much of the match, but, like a number of his teammates, found Messi difficult to contain. (6/10)

Midfield

Javi Lara: Delivered a couple of dangerous crosses from wide areas and always wanted the ball in the final third. Needed a bit more from those around him, though. (6/10)

Jon Errasti: Found it tough to make his mark against a team that dominated possession of the ball. Was replaced by Ander Capa minutes after Barcelona had taken a two-goal lead. (5/10)

Borja Fernandez: Almost cleared Messi's second off the line, but could only help the ball into the back of the net. Another that found it difficult to make his mark. (6/10)

Attack

Saul Berjon: Produced a couple of excellent crosses in the second period, but there were no takers in the middle. Forced the Barcelona defence into some sloppy moments. (6/10)

Manu del Moral: Had a couple of half-chances during his 69 minutes on the field, but his replacement, Federico Piovaccari, looked a lot more dangerous late on. (5/10)

Substitutes

Ander Capa: Showed some nice touches, but also struggled to make his mark due to Barcelona's domination of the ball. (6/10)

Federico Piovaccari: Made a difference in the final 20 minutes, but missed his big chance to register in stoppage time when he rattled the crossbar from inside the box. (7/10)

Derek Boateng: Played the final 10 minutes, but made little impact. (5/10)


Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates with Brazilian forward Neymar after scoring during the Spanish league football match SD Eibar vs FC Barcelona at the Ipurua stadium in Eibar on March 14, 2015© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Claudio Bravo: Only had a couple of routine saves to make, but the Chilean was strong from crosses, while his distribution helped start a number of counter-attacks. (6/10)

Defence

Martin Montoya: Replaced the suspended Dani Alves and had a solid match without pulling up too many trees. Will have a lot tougher matches in a Barcelona shirt. (6/10)

Gerard Pique: Was heavily criticised in the early part of the season, but the Spaniard has been excellent over the last couple of months and continued that form here. (7/10)

Marc Bartra: Nice and tidy from the centre-back, who has always impressed when called upon. Still not considered first choice in the really big matches, though. (7/10)

Adriano: No-frills performance from the Brazilian, who replaced Jordi Alba in the starting XI. Perhaps should have been a little more threatening in the final third of the field. (6/10)

Midfield

Sergi Roberto: Has not had too much football this season, but was given a chance here. A tidy 90 minutes from the Spaniard, but not too much more than that. (6/10)

Rafinha: Another that was given a valuable 90 minutes at this stage of the season. Did not impact the match too much in the final third, but showed class in possession. (6/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Set up Messi's second goal with a wonderful corner, but only lasted 62 minutes, with Xavi brought on as the Croatian's replacement. (6/10)

Attack

Neymar: Fairly uneventful evening for the Brazilian. Had a couple of half-chances, but cut a frustrated figure when he was replaced by Pedro for the final 20 minutes. (6/10)

Lionel Messi: Once again the star of the show. Scored both of his side's goals and mesmerised Eibar with a couple of sensational dribbles. Now back to his best form. (8/10)

Luis Suarez: Worked hard in the final third, but it never quite happened for the striker, who is in good goalscoring form. Will be crucial in the months ahead. (6/10)

Substitutes

Xavi: Came on for his 750th Barcelona appearance after 62 minutes and, as usual, radiated class each time that he had possession of the ball. (6/10)

Pedro: Had a golden chance to score a third for the visitors late on, but could not find a way past Jaime. Faces a summer of big decisions due to his lack of starts this season. (6/10)


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