Barcelona 4 – 0 Deportivo: Player Ratings

It was a relatively easy day for Ter Stegen, who faced zero shots on target as Deportivo was simply overmatched. No tricky business with his feet either, which is good progress.

Mascherano improved on some recent iffy performances with an assured job at an unfamiliar right back position, with Sergi Roberto out. Mascherano performed his defensive duties, but also helped facilitate play forward. Later in the match, moved into a more comfortable central role when Barcelona shifted to a three-man defense.

With Barcelona possessing the ball, Pique was hardly bothered. He made a nuisance of himself on set pieces though, often troubling the Deportivo defense. No issues from Pique.

Like Pique, Mathieu was very assured in defense and caused no problems. He even put a header in the back of the net before it was called back for offsides. Much better from the experienced Frenchman.

DIgne produced a good performance from the left back spot, providing defensive cover while often linking up with Neymar going forward. However, some of his end product was lacking. However, still a good performance deputizing for Jordi Alba.

A typically nonchalant yet effective job done by Busquets. Passed the ball well (94 percent completion) and did his duties protecting the back line. Didn’t do much to speak of otherwise, but he often so important without being obvious. That was the case again today.

Rakitic gave his usual high-energy and effort game without the glamour of some of his teammates. It didn’t get him on the scoresheet today, but he still did his part.

Arda had the difficult position of sharing the right side with Rafinha. Though Arda often starts further up, with Rafinha’s marauding style, the Turkey international was forced to hold back a bit. Still, he produced a solid, unspectacular performance.

Rafinha was immense for Barcelona, flying up and down the right flank. Though he was somewhat fortunate on both goals, he got in good positions and made the most of it. It’s a shame he is stuck behind some great attackers in the pecking order, because he is quite the player.

Suarez has been missing the goalscoring touch of late, but after giving an assist for Rafinha’s first, Suarez found the back of the net himself, finally getting back in the groove up top. His class oozed all over the place in the first half, and he was taken off at halftime.

Rafinha was given the man of the match award for his goals, but Neymar was right in the running. He is so good all the time, but especially when Messi is not playing, Neymar’s class shows. Against Deportivo, it was no different as the Brazilian ran riot, and provided two assists. A shame he didn’t get on the scoresheet, but a great performance nonetheless.

Paco still is struggling at Barcelona, but looked slightly more at ease in a full 45. He managed a couple of shots, and though he didn’t manage to score, he will look at his performance as an upgrade on recent matches.

What did you expect from the best player in the world? He came on, and immediately put the ball into the back of the net after a few weeks out with an injury. Messi is a class above everyone else, and he showed it yet again in a brief cameo. Great to have the Argentine back.

Suarez came on with about 20 minutes to go, and really didn’t have a great influence on the match with Messi and Neymar running the show. He didn’t do anything wrong, but just didn’t make a big difference.

Luis Enrique set his team up well to start, and just let the players do the rest. When you have that talent, you can afford that luxury, and that is how the match was so simple for Barcelona. One the manager can build off of.