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Barcelona players rated from the Rayo victory: Suarez brace ensures 3 points

By Atharva Khadilkar

MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 03: Luis Suarez (2ndL) of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates Gerard Pique (L) and Munir El Haddadi (R) during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on November 03, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 03: Luis Suarez (2ndL) of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates Gerard Pique (L) and Munir El Haddadi (R) during the La Liga match between Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas on November 03, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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3rd November 2018, Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain; La Liga football, Rayo Vallecano versus Barcelona; Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona) breaks inside towards goal (photo by Shot for Press/Action Plus via Getty Images)
3rd November 2018, Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain; La Liga football, Rayo Vallecano versus Barcelona; Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona) breaks inside towards goal (photo by Shot for Press/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

Right Back- Sergi Roberto- 7/10

On nights when Barcelona are having forgetful moments, Sergi Roberto is their go-to player and is always giving his all. But the Spanish player looked slightly off the gas against Rayo Vallecano. After being deployed as a right back, Roberto was usually playing up front and struggled to make an impact there. He also failed to track back when the home side broke forward in the second half especially. Nonetheless, Roberto assisted Luis Suarez’s winner in the final minutes.

Centre Back- Gerard Pique- 7/10

After three magnificent outings versus Sevilla, Inter Milan and Barcelona, it seemed like Gerard Pique was finally back to being his best. However, those hopes were relinquished after the Rayo game, raising questions about him again. The Barcelona defender looked plain and average at the back and did little to close down Raul de Tomas’ threat in the central area of the hosts’ attack. Pique went forward as an emergency striker in the latter stages and assisted Dembele’s equalizer.

Centre Back- Clement Lenglet- 8.5/10

In Samuel Umtiti’s absence, it has been Clement Lenglet who has tremendously stepped up in the centre of defence. The former Sevilla defender was responsible for keeping the hosts’ right side of attack at bay. Lenglet made some great tackles and interceptions when Rayo threatened and tried to go forward. His composure paid off and allowed Pique the liberty to go forward by leaving a void at the back.

Left Back- Jordi Alba- 8.5/10

Jordi Alba was undoubtedly the best player in Barcelona’s backline. The 30-year-old kept going forward but also made a surety to fulfil his defensive duties. Alba set up Luis Suarez’s opening goal too. The former Valencia defender was present everywhere on the pitch when Rayo Vallecano had a spell of 30 minutes or so when the completely outclassed Barcelona. Alba is surely making a case for a spot in the Spanish national team after being omitted by Luis Enrique on the last two instances.

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