Ranking and Grading the Barcelona Players on Champions League Performance so Far
At the halfway point in the Champions League group stage, Barcelona can be pleased with the position in which they find themselves.
A disappointing result at Paris Saint-Germain aside, the Blaugrana have acquitted themselves well against both APOEL Nicosia and Ajax.
With three more games left, it's all to play for.
Let's take a look at how each player has fared in European club football's premier competition thus far, grading them on their level of performance...
Goalkeeper
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Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Grade: B
Marc-Andre ter Stegen has had to be content with being Barca's Champions League goalkeeper as Claudio Bravo continues to take on all comers in La Liga.
The German had little to do in the group opener against APOEL but a sign of his high level of concentration was notable at the end of the game.
Breaking upfield, the keeper was forced into his first and only save in injury time, going full-length to ensure a clean sheet.
Against PSG he was nervous and never really settled into the match. He was at fault for Marco Verratti's headed goal, flapping on his line in a quite amateurish fashion.
As with the game against APOEL, the young German had hardly anything to do throughout proceedings against Ajax.
Having said that, he received lots of balls to feet and showed that his distribution, whether long or short, is of the standard Barcelona expect.
Certainly no blame can be attached in conceding the late goal. An acceptable performance.
Right-Back
2 of 9
Dani Alves
Grade: B+
As we've come to expect with Dani Alves, his non-stop work ethic underscores his performances.
Against APOEL his shuttling in the right channel was relentless, even though there was little reward for his industry.
At least he had an assist to show for his work in Paris, even though the Catalans were poor overall.
Another typical Alves performance was in evidence against the Dutch, although his crossing let him down again on occasions—it's something he perhaps needs to address before Saturday’s game
Left-Backs
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Jordi Alba
Grade: B-
Let's just say that Jordi Alba got taken back to school by Lucas Moura in the tie in Paris.
Having a great set of lungs and the speed to be able to bomb forward throughout has its advantages, of course.
But not at the expense of the role that you are handsomely remunerated to undertake.
Moura was excellent; Alba was embarrassing.
Alba had a reasonable if unspectacular game against Ajax. He had Lasse Schone is his pocket all night, leaving the rest of the Ajax attacking staff to feed on scraps, but only involved himself in an attacking sense sporadically.
Adriano Correia
Grade: B
A rare start for Adriano saw him impress against APOEL. No song and dance, just good old-fashioned defence and wing-back play.
Given his general lack of minutes beforehand, the standard of his performance was all that Luis Enrique could've expected.
Cool, calm and collected.
Centre-Backs
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Gerard Pique
Grade: B
After being left on the bench for a prior La Liga fixture, Gerard Pique needed a big performance against APOEL to impress Luis Enrique.
Scoring the winner was a good start, as was his all-round play. But for Lionel Messi he would've been a deserved man of the match.
However, being left on the bench throughout the game against PSG won't have pleased him, especially given the struggles Barca had in defence during that game.
"Must try harder" is undoubtedly the message emanating from the manager's office.
He was handed another start for the game against Ajax and won virtually all of his aerial challenges. However, he was almost caught out again by an out ball on the break, showing that there is still a definite nervousness to Pique’s game at present.
Jeremy Mathieu
Grade: B
An unused sub against APOEL, Mathieu got his Champions League bow for Barca in Paris.
In truth, it wasn't really his best game, and he was one of those guilty of ball-watching for the goal scored by Marco Verratti.
Mathieu may have underestimated the task in hand but was steady if unspectacular throughout.
Marc Bartra
Grade: B
Part of a youthful Blaugrana against APOEL, Marc Bartra might have expected more minutes than he has received since.
He was on hand to snuff out the irregular threat of the Cypriots with a last-man tackle and showed a maturity and composure that will stand him in good stead for later in the season.
Another rare start for the youngster came against Ajax, and he coped well with any forays that their strikers made into his territory, which wasn’t an awful lot of the time.
Defensive Midfielders
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Javier Mascherano
Grade: A-
Rested for the visit of APOEL, Javier Mascherano took up his rightful position in Paris; however, he suffered as much as the next person, particularly with the high ball again.
Unusually for "Masche," he mistimed a few challenges in this one, but this can be attributed more to the exuberance and tenacity of the home side harrying Barca's players into such basic errors.
He played in his more natural defensive-midfield position against Ajax, in the absence of the injured Sergio Busquets. As he showed with Argentina in the World Cup, he is a revelation in the position and barely put a foot wrong.
Sergio Busquets
Grade: B-
Unusually for Sergio Busquets, he was one of the worst players on the pitch in Paris.
Marked out of the game for long periods, he was unable to stamp his usual authority on proceedings and as such his influence was minimal.
Not selected for the fixture against APOEL, he wasn't deemed fit to face Ajax.
Sergi Samper
Grade: A+
Has there ever been a better debut anywhere than Sergi Samper's for Barcelona against APOEL?
So comfortable in possession, there was an ease to his purpose throughout, and with 119 touches, per WhoScored.com, he was busier than anyone else on the pitch.
The 93 percent pass accuracy to accompany his industrious performance was quite simply brilliant, and he showed the wider footballing public what everyone at Barca has known for years.
That Sergi Samper will be a big, big star in the future.
Attacking Midfielders
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Andres Iniesta
Grade: A
A second-half sub side against APOEL, Andres Iniesta flitted in and out of the match, giving the side a little more drive and purpose in the attacking third.
The Spaniard was Barca's best player other than Lionel Messi against PSG. Constantly probing for openings, driving at the heart of the French sides defence.
He was twice involved in the move for Messi's goal, including a perfect assist. Sublime.
His 101st Champions League appearance came against Ajax, and Iniesta turned in a captain’s performance.
Always available, his passing was on point, never better than when assisting for Messi’s goal in the 23rd minute.
He almost scored himself just before half-time, but Jasper Cillessen made a fine save. He made way for Rafinha on 76 minutes and got a well-deserved standing ovation
Xavi
Grade: B+
A record 143rd Champions League appearance against PSG is another highlight to a fine and distinguished career, even though it lasted just 21 minutes.
An hour's cameo in the previous group fixture saw Xavi dictate the pattern and pace of the game. He still has that ability to conduct the orchestra at will. Genius.
Ivan Rakitic
Grade: B+
Able to recharge his batteries after being rested for the visit of APOEL, Ivan Rakitic looked to make up for his omission by influencing the outcome in Paris.
While not an abject failure, as with most of the team, he didn't have his best game and was substituted after 69 minutes.
Was able to exert plenty of pressure on the opposition during the Ajax game, using his physical presence if necessary.
Worked wonderfully well with Mascherano, both players ensuring that the Dutchmen were unable to get any sort of free flow to their own possession-based game.
Sergi Roberto
Grade: B-
Given a starting berth against APOEL and while he was replaced after half-time, Roberto had done enough to justify his inclusion. Sergi Roberto is still finding it difficult to nail down a regular starting berth, though.
An unused sub in Paris, the player should at least be happy that he continues to be right on the edge of permanent residency in the first team.
Rafinha Alcantara
Grade: B-
Injuries have curtailed Rafinha's progress this season, and a fleeting dalliance against APOEL was his only contribution until the Ajax game, where a 15-minute second-half cameo at least gave him some match time in his fight back to full fitness.
Wingers
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Neymar
Grade: A+
It's hard to compare the Neymar of last season with this, such has been the improvement in a short space of time during this campaign.
While he didn't find the net against APOEL, he looked dangerous throughout and was unlucky not to register.
It was a different story against PSG, where his superb goal and link-up play for Lionel Messi's equaliser was out of the top bracket.
It was a fantastic finish for his goal against Ajax, his 10th goal in 10 games, which is his best scoring streak in Blaugrana.
He was a constant menace to Ricardo van Rhijn down the left side, who would no doubt have breathed a sigh of relief to see him substituted just after the hour mark.
Pedro Rodriguez
Grade: C+
Completely left out for the visit of APOEL, Pedro's under-par performance in Paris would hardly have enthralled the technical staff.
Out of sorts since the start of the season, the winger needs to dig deep into the reserves to recapture anything like the form of a couple of seasons ago.
In a sign of the uncertainty that has crept into his game, Pedro was handed a gift-wrapped chance to slot away a chance against Ajax that he would’ve buried last season. That he hit the woodwork when it seemed easier to score tells you everything.
Worked hard thereafter with little reward and has made the decision to bench him in place of Luis Suarez an easy one for Luis Enrique.
Centre-Forwards
8 of 9Lionel Messi
Grade: A+
Set up the goal for Gerard Pique against APOEL with a pinpoint free-kick.
It was just one moment in an all-action, man-of-the-match display.
A similar story, unsurprisingly, against PSG, where he got on the scoresheet himself with a goal of sheer perfection.
A thorn in the French side throughout, it was another performance of high quality, as we have come to expect from the Argentinian genius.
He was straight out of the blocks against the Dutchmen, with a great assist for Neymar’s early strike. He took his own goal well to leave him just two behind Raul’s all-time record, and would’ve been even closer were it not disallowed.
Was substituted on 66 minutes, allowing him some decent rest ahead of El Clasico.
Munir El Haddadi
Grade: A-
Munir has to be happy with his contribution to this competition so far.
A hard-working but ultimately unsuccessful night's work against APOEL was followed by a sumptuous cameo against PSG.
Crashing one off the woodwork was as close as he came to scoring but again, up against some of Europe's best, he showed no fear whatsoever, which only bodes well for the future.
He replaced Lionel Messi against Ajax on 66 minutes and, as with Sandro, Munir showed promise when in possession and was an omnipresent threat without the ball.
The fearlessness of youth is very evident in his play, and he didn’t allow the Ajax back line to settle at any point. Munir continues to delight, which can only be good for Barca as they look to build for the future.
Sandro Ramirez
Grade: A-
Two substitute appearances in the competition, both of which have produced more than acceptable performances from the youngster.
Like Munir, Sandro can be relied upon to terrorise defences with no hint of doubt in his mind. He's direct, penetrative and fearless, just how any decent centre-forward should be.
Sandro replaced Neymar on the hour and showed once again why, along with Munir, the manager is still keen to place his faith in the younger players. He took his goal fabulously well and showed enough in his movement to suggest he is going to be one dangerous customer.
Coaching
9 of 9
Luis Enrique
Grade: B+
It's been a bit of a mixed bag in the UCL so far for Luis Enrique.
Although many supporters might have been expecting a big win against APOEL, games where the opposition put 10 men behind the ball and defend for their lives often throw up surprising results.
A win is still a win, you still only get three points, so while it probably wasn't that easy on the eye, his team got the job done.
Against PSG, we saw the first time this season that Lucho was found wanting tactically. Unable to change things around to any great degree, a first loss of the season was always on the cards, and whille the result and performance would no doubt have disappointed the manager, he will surely have learned something from the defeat.
He set his stall out against Ajax with a strong side, and being two goals up by the 23rd minute would surely have pleased the manager.
Being able to rest his key men well before the end was an added bonus, and Barca go into the next game in a healthy position in the table.
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