Barcelona player ratings vs Girona: Only Pique and Messi deserve praise

Defensive Midfielder- Sergio Busquets- 7/10

Sergio Busquets’ introduction in the Barcelona starting eleven has never done any negative, even on occasions when points have been dropped. The Spain international and Barcelona veteran remained composed in spite of his side’s backward situation and dispensed the ball confidently from the back line. Busquets eventually started to dribble more often and join the attack but his efforts did not do much good. His importance is being slowly realized by Valverde who must start him more often.

Right Midfielder- Arturo Vidal- 7/10

Arturo Vidal put in a good display in the near one hour that he played on a long awaited Barcelona start. His knitted pass teed up Lionel Messi for the opening goal of the night but the former Bayern Munich signing did little to help defensively once Barcelona were reduced to ten men. That was takeback as he was a defensive stalwart during his Bayern and Juventus days too. The Chilean’s attacking display though, would have made a case for a starting role in the future.

Left Midfielder- Arthur Melo- 6/10

Arthur was handed another start by Ernesto Valverde since checking in this summer. The Brazilian did not look really impressive on the night. But to be fair on his part, it was a tactical fault on his manager’s part to unleash him in a creative role for an important fixture, that too in a clash that was certain to be so physical and feisty. Displays like this will eventually take him out of favor and thus, things must change from his side too. He didn’t look committed enough on the pitch to say the least.