Ajax vs. Barcelona: Live Player Ratings for Barca

Ajax 2-1 Barcelona

Goals: Serero 19, Hoesen 41; Xavi (pen) 49

Barcelona suffered their first defeat of the season in Amsterdam on Tuesday, going down 2-1 to Ajax in Champions League Group H. A second-half Xavi penalty wasn't enough to save the Catalans, who had already qualified for the knockout stages. Here we take a look at each of their players and their individual performances in Holland: 

First-half analysis:

Jose Pinto: A busy half for the veteran keeper, and he could have done better in the build up to Ajax’s second goal.

Carles Puyol: The usually calm and collected Puyol has looked shaky against the pace and trickery in the home side’s attack.

Gerard Pique: Booked for a rash challenge in a dangerous area, Pique has struggled against the Dutchmen.

Javier Mascherano: Not an easy shift for the Argentinian, and he will need to get to grips with the likes of Serero after the break.

Martin Montoya: Another Barca player who never really got going in the first period. Very quiet from the youngster.

Xavi: Has shown the odd glimpse of quality and almost set up Neymar just before the half-time whistle.

Alex Song: Has found the going particularly tough against the Dutchmen and a marked improvement is needed.

Andres Iniesta: Much like Xavi, Iniesta has proved his worth but only in glimpses. Almost produced an opening for Fabregas.

Pedro: An alarmingly uneventful half from the Spanish international.

Cesc Fabregas: Came agonisingly close to opening the scoring for this side, but also picked up a booking, which means he’ll miss the next game.

Neymar: The Brazilian has looked dangerous, but only sporadically, and needs better service after the break.

Second-half analysis:

Jose Pinto: A much quieter half for the Barca keeper, as Ajax retreated following Veltman's red card.

Carles Puyol: This was an evening to forget for Puyol, who was substituted on 68 minutes after a tough shift.

Gerard Pique: One of five Barcelona players to be booked, Pique helped to settle his defence down after the break. 

Javier Mascherano: A much more composed performance from the Argentinian, but he still hard to work hard in the closing stages.

Martin Montoya: He failed to get going in the opening 45 minutes, and didn't fair much better after the break.

Xavi: Kept his cool to score the penalty that brought his side back into the game, but wasn't up to his usual standards.

Alex Song: Will be disappointed he didn't see more of the ball in the second-half, but was wasteful when he was in possession.

Andres Iniesta: Far from his best, Iniesta looked tired as the game wore on, but he wasn't alone

Pedro: An evening to forget, and his performance was summed up by a late dive inside the area that the referee completely ignored

Cesc Fabregas: Looked leggy as part of a three-man attack and endured a frustrating evening before being replaced.

Neymar: Barca's main threat after the break came from Neymar's ability down the left-hand side. Unlucky not to get on the score sheet