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Barcelona player ratings vs PSV: Messi delivers the slender victory

By Atharva Khadilkar

(top row L-R) FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Clement Lenglet of FC Barcelona, Nelson Semedo of FC Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona, Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona(bottom row L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona, Arturo Vidal of FC Barcelona, Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League group C match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Barcelona at the Phillips stadium on November 28, 2018 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(top row L-R) FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Clement Lenglet of FC Barcelona, Nelson Semedo of FC Barcelona, Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona, Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona, Gerard Pique of FC Barcelona(bottom row L-R) Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Ousmane Dembele of FC Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho of FC Barcelona, Arturo Vidal of FC Barcelona, Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League group C match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Barcelona at the Phillips stadium on November 28, 2018 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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Barcelona’s Spanish defender Gerard Pique (R) celebrates with his teammate Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Malcom after scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Barcelona at Philips stadium in Eindhoven on November 28, 2018. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
Barcelona’s Spanish defender Gerard Pique (R) celebrates with his teammate Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Malcom after scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Barcelona at Philips stadium in Eindhoven on November 28, 2018. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) /

Left Back- Jordi Alba- 7.5/10

Jordi Alba managed to do his attacking bit really well and came face to face with Mexico international Hirving Lozano when defending. The left full back’s duel with the 23-year-old was great to have a look at. Both of them did get the betters of each other on quite some occasions but on an overall basis, Alba did his job fairly well.

Centre Back- Clement Lenglet- 6.5/10

Clement Lenglet came in the centre of defence in place of Samuel Umtiti and to sum up his performance in just a few words, we can say that he has had so many better matches than he did at PSV Eindhoven. The hosts’ striker Luuk de Jong kept probing Barcelona’s goal for long and did get around the defender pretty often. He should have been stronger and more physical.

Centre Back- Gerard Pique- 7/10

Gerard Pique had a far from demanding night at the back, very much in contrast to his partner Clement Lenglet. The former Spain international did well to keep the offside trap and high press intact though. Pique also scored Barcelona’s second goal of the game through a Lionel Messi free-kick. He did get a bit lucky while scoring, however.

Right Back- Nelson Semedo- 6.5/10

Nelson Semedo looked less dangerous when attacking and did not really well at defence either. A lot of PSV Eindhoven’s attacking moves were initiated through their left flank and Barcelona’s right and Semedo stuttered in dealing with them. Steven Bergwijn’s slow pace helped Nelson in not being left out, but it was no glittering display by him.

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