Playing for 90
Fansided

Barcelona player ratings vs Espanyol: Messi delivers a masterclass

By Atharva Khadilkar

FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (10) with his teammates of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the goal during the match RCD Espanyol against FC Barcelona, for the round 15 of the Liga Santander, played at RCD Espanyol Stadium on 8th December 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (10) with his teammates of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the goal during the match RCD Espanyol against FC Barcelona, for the round 15 of the Liga Santander, played at RCD Espanyol Stadium on 8th December 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Leo Messi scores during the match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona, corresponding to the week 15 of the spanish league, played at the RCD Espanyol Stadium on 08th December 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto— (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Leo Messi scores during the match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona, corresponding to the week 15 of the spanish league, played at the RCD Espanyol Stadium on 08th December 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto— (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Left Winger- Ousmane Dembele- 8/10

Ousmane Dembele had a superb first half and impressed Ernesto Valverde yet again. It was yet another stunning goal from the World Cup winner and one from the right foot. The former Borussia Dortmund striker later teed up Luis Suarez for his goal as well. However, a slow and rusty start to the second half and being dispossessed quite often within a couple of minutes resulted in his withdrawal. He may start against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday if Ernesto Valverde was pleased with his overall display.

Striker- Luis Suarez- 7/10

Luis Suarez made a return after being absent for three matches in the derby clash versus Espanyol. Suarez scored Barcelona’s third goal and showcased his physique and finishing during the process, whilst rounding off a defender and slotting the ball through the legs of Diego Lopez. The Uruguay international also hit the post once, but those two were his only notable acts while on the field. Suarez looked a little slow, but he will get back to shape soon.

Right Winger- Lionel Messi- 10/10

Lionel Messi justified his Ballon d’Or ranking as an absolute joke with a masterclass in the subsequent fixture to last weekend’s. Messi scored twice for Barcelona from two free-kicks. Both of them were just treat to the eyes and he scored two free-kicks in a match for the second time in his career. Messi also assisted Ousmane Dembele in a classy move before he played the playmakers role and kept causing issues throughout the 90 minutes. He will once again be integral against Tottenham Hotspur.

Home/FC Barcelona