BATE Borisov vs. Barcelona: Winners and Losers from Champions League Game
Barcelona took control of Champions League Group E with a 2-0 win away to BATE Borisov on Tuesday night, moving three points clear at the halfway stage.
A goalless first half saw Neymar and Luis Suarez both go close for the Spanish side, with BATE barely threatening at all, but it was Neymar who eventually picked the lock on the home team's defence with two assists for Ivan Rakitic to score from.
Here are all our biggest winners and losers from the match.
Winner: Neymar
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After rattling in four goals at the weekend, Neymar continued to be the big presence in attack for Barcelona as he took responsibility for the role of chief creator in the absence of Lionel Messi.
The Brazilian used his pace and dribbling ability when in one-on-one situations, but his vision and passing were what really made the difference as he laid on two assists for Ivan Rakitic, with the second in particular an impressive moment to open up the defence.
Squawka reported him on Twitter as having been involved in seven goals (five scored, two assisted) after the first Rakitic strike—add in another as Neymar repeated the trick later on.
Loser: Sergi Roberto
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Sergi Roberto started the match playing just as superbly as he had done for most of the season, looking full of confidence and comfortably the most creative player in the Barcelona midfield, as noted by Sam Tighe on Twitter.
Unfortunately for the youngster, his run in the team looks over for now—he left the field injured within minutes of kick-off, replaced by Rakitic who, of course, went on to score both goals.
With the likes of Andres Iniesta, Rafinha and Lionel Messi out, Sergi Roberto was performing a key role in the side and getting a lot of game time so he'll be doubly devastated and hoping the injury isn't particularly severe.
Winner: Ivan Rakitic
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It's often easy to pick goalscorers as a winner in the post-game column, but this time it's definitely worthwhile acknowledging Ivan Rakitic's effect because his team have really needed more players to step up and contribute in that area.
Neymar and Luis Suarez have scored every goal except one for the team since the end of September against Celta Vigo, a long run to rely on the two starting forwards.
Rakitic's runs into the box from deep were a feature of Barcelona's play and success last season, breaking the back four line in the way Iniesta and Co. wouldn't normally do, and it's important he continues to do that now in the absence of Messi in particular.
Loser: Munir and Sandro, Again
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It is becoming an unfortunately recurring theme that, whichever of the two are given the chance to start, neither Munir nor Sandro Ramirez is managing to have any kind of impact on the Barcelona team in the absence of Leo Messi.
While nobody would be expecting them to produce the same level of ability or consistency that the No. 10 does, the continuing opportunities being handed to them to play alongside Suarez, Neymar and the rest means they have to be offering some sort of end product to make their case to stay in the side on a long-term basis.
Between them, it's now 720 minutes of game time in all competitions without a single goal to show for it.
Winners: Both BATE and Barcelona, in the Context of the Group
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BATE would likely have expected to lose both of their games against Barcelona when the draw was made, and after beating Roma in the second round of fixtures, they'll be pinpointing the home tie against Bayer Leverkusen as the other match in which they could cause an upset and perhaps sneak themselves third place.
Those hopes were boosted with news of the other game in the group ending as a draw, with Bayer Leverkusen and AS Roma fighting out a remarkable 4-4 scoreline.
That leaves Barcelona well in control at the top on seven points, with BATE still in third for now on three—a single point above Roma and the same below Leverkusen at the halfway stage.
