Barcelona 1-0 Valencia player ratings as Lionel Messi and Samuel Umtiti impress at the Nou Camp
The video will start in 8 Cancel
Get FC Barcelona updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Barcelona will take a one-goal lead into the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia.
Luis Suarez struck in the second half, heading home Lionel Messi's cross to give the Catalan giants a 1-0 win in the first leg.
Messi's centre took a slight deflection off the goalkeeper but that didn't stop Suarez who found the net via the arm of a defender.
Barca dominated possession and territory but Valencia frustrated the hosts up until Suarez broke the deadlock on 67 minutes.
Here are the full player ratings...
(Image: AFP)
(Image: REUTERS)
Barcelona
Jasper Cillessen 6 - The Dutch stopper had nothing to do.
Sergi Roberto 5 - Was given a difficult time by Andreas Pereira but improved after the Brazilian was forced off injured.
Gerard Pique 6 - A solid display from the Catalan, who got forward looking for the second goal late on.
Samuel Umtiti 8 - The French defender just gets better and better, oozing confidence and, surprisingly for a centre-back, flair.
Jordi Alba 7 - Good work from Alba down the left led to the opener, when he combined well with Messi.
Sergio Busquets 7 - Pulled the strings for Barcelona in midfield, directing the play in the second half especially.
(Image: AFP)
Ivan Rakitic 6 - Worked hard in midfield and got into the area to try and force a breakthrough too, although ultimately could not impact the game going forward.
Aleix Vidal 5 - Handed a surprise start but could not make the most of it, with some heavy passes and disappointing link up play.
Andres Iniesta 6 - The skipper was reliable on the ball, even though he couldn’t break Valencia down. Brought off for Paco Alcacer in the second half.
Lionel Messi 8 - Barcelona’s best player, as usual, and for long periods the only player who was determined to make something happen. His scooped cross led to the breakthrough goal.
(Image: AFP)
Luis Suarez 7 - Scored the goal that gives Barcelona the advantage going into the second leg with a diving header. Typically battling display.
SUBS
Philippe Coutinho 7 - Lively appearance and tested the goalkeeper with a long range effort.
Paulinho 5 - The Brazilian has been off his game since Christmas and had no impact from the bench.
Paco Alcacer - n/a
Valencia
Domenech 7, Montoya 6, Vezo 6, Gabriel 7, Gaya 6, Soler 6 (Ferran), Coquelin 6, Parejo 7, Pereira 7 (Maksimovic 6), Rodrigo 5 (Mina), Vietto 6.