Barcelona 2-1 Deportivo Alaves: Player Ratings
Final score: Barcelona 2-1 Deportivo Alaves
Goalscorers: John Guidetti 23' (Deportivo Alaves), Luis Suarez 72' (Barcelona), Lionel Messi 84' (Barcelona)
FC Barcelona hosted Deportivo Alaves as they looked to further consolidate their lead in the standings. The first half was a cagey affair with both the teams trying to go one up over the other, with Barcelona being the more dominant side. The first break of the match, however, was grabbed by Alaves, following a fine counter-attack.
Initially, the second half was quite similar to the first, as Alaves defended deep and in numbers with occasional dangerous inroads into Barcelona's penalty area. Barcelona's efforts finally paid off when Andres Iniesta teed up Luis Suarez for the equalizer.
Leo Messi then went on to score from a freekick late in the game to hand FC Barcelona all three points.
On that note, let's take a look at how the players fared for their respective teams:
Deportivo Alaves
Fernando Pacheco: 8/10
Quite an amazing outing just like his opposite number. Quick off his lines, it was him who stood firm and almost stopped Barca from an easy victory. Pulled a couple of saves including a fantastic stop off Messi's freekick in the first half.
Alexis Ruano: 7/10
The full-back had a pretty solid game for his team. He did not allow anyone on his inside, neither did he allow Lucas Digne to flourish on the overlap. Attacking, he did not venture up much, but who can demand more after such a solid showing at the back.
Victor Laguardia: 8/10
The centre-back, like his defensive partners, was always alert to the dangers the Barcelona players posed to his goal and was ever-ready to deal with them. He never gave an inch of space to anyone in and around the penalty box.
Guillermo Maripan: 8/10
Maripan put in a good performance as he was constantly in the way of Luis Suarez and company, keeping them at bay for the majority of the game. He made a string of important interceptions and tackles to keep Alaves in the game.
Ruben Duarte: 6/10
Duarte defended his team's left flank quite diligently. He was tentative and always ready to go into a tackle. However, he quite often overwhelmed by the overlapping Messi and Roberto combo later in the game.
Hernan Perez: 6/10
Playing as a right-winger on the night, his attacking input during his time on the pitch was next to nothing. However, he more than made up for it by tracking back and covering the runs of Lucas Digne and, later in the game, of Jordi Alba.
Alvaro Medran: 6.5/10
Medran had a decent game. Though he was not much influential in the first half, he came out on top in the midfield battle against Barca’s midfield during the final 45 minutes. His distribution was efficient, if not eye-catching.
Mubarak Wakaso: 6/10
The defensive midfielder was quite combative in the middle of the park. He screened his defence well and never did shy away from a tackle despite an apparent gulf in quality. However, he was a bit too reckless at times and could have received a second yellow on a different day with a different referee.
Ibai Gomez: 5/10
The former Athletic Bilbao man, who once played under Valverde, was anonymous. Playing on the left, he could not trouble Nelson Semedo or Sergi Roberto much. He also missed two glorious opportunities of extending his teams lead, one in each half.
John Guidetti: 8/10
Guidetti was absolutely phenomenal. He was at the centre of anything good that came for Alaves in the attack. His finish for the goal was amazing apart from the fact that he was the instigator for most of his sides counter attacks.
Ruben Sobrino: 6/10
Sobrino worked hard and tirelessly, but could not get better of Gerard Pique or Samuel Umtiti. His decision making was quite erratic and he never could get into any decent attacking positions or deliver a decent final ball.
Substitutes:
Alfonso Pedraza: 6/10
He was brought on for Perez with about thirty minutes left to play. He didn't contribute much to attack. However, he tracked back often and helped out his defence.
Munir El Haddadi: 5.5/10
He was brought on for the excellent John Guidetti, but could not quite continue his senior partner's good work. He did not see much of the ball in the time he was afforded on the pitch.
Ermedin Demirovic: N/A
Came on in a very late substitution in the 89th minute, and did not have enough time to influence the game.