Barcelona player ratings after 5-1 win against Ferencvaros
Leo Messi led Barcelona from the front with Philippe Coutinho back to his best and Ansu Fati continuing to show Koeman that he is undroppable.
Leo Messi led Barcelona to a 5-1 Champions League victory over Ferencváros in Camp Nou to get Ronald Koeman’s European campaign off to a winning start. Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho, Pedri and Ousmane Dembélé were also on the score sheet but Gerard Piqué’s sending off means the defender will be unavailable for the match against Juventus next week.
Here’s how Barcelona’s players rated against the Hungarian champions.
Neto: The Brazilian did not have much to do but was thankful for the intervention of the var to deny Ismael from close range. Conceded from the spot to miss out on a clean sheet but he was not to blame for the penalty.
Sergi Roberto: Linked well with Trincão on Barça’s right but still has a tendency to choose the wrong option for the final ball. Was on the end of a hefty challenge in the first half but emerged for the second half before being substituted with the Clásico in mind.
Gerard Piqué: Piqué rarely looked comfortable trying to control the runs of Tokmac Nguen and concede a penalty when the Ferencváros striker had the better of him in a sprint towards goal. The ref reached for the red and Piqu’e Will be out for the trip to Juventus.
Clément Lenglet: Excellent bringing the ball out from the back and made some vital interventions at the back. For Barça the most important thing will be ensuring he emerges unscathed from the Clásico as he will be the bedrock of the defence in Turin.
Sergiño Dest: Little by little the American is displaying the player he could become. Started out on the left to combine with Ansu and then switched to the right, a sign of his versatility and where he was more at home and able to get forward with more incisiveness. He will get his chance to do the same against Real Madrid.
Miralem Pjanic: Played a respectable 75 minutes but has not yet found the form he displayed so regularly at Juventus. Pjanic is still playing with the handbrake on, picking the easy option as he seeks to find his place in the side, and looks to be a yard off his optimum fitness levels still.
Frenkie De Jong: A vast improvement from the Getafe game, his assist for Ansu was spectacular and he was otherwise very solid in possession. This is the kind of performance Koeman expects from his compatriot.
Philppe Coutinho: Barça’s best player. His incredible sense of space opened Ferencváros up time and again and he was tireless in seeking to recover the ball. Scored a fine goal with low strike from Ansu’s backheel assist. Coutinho has been reborn since his arrival back from a loan at Munich and is now undroppable.
Francisco Trincão: The Portuguese had an exceptional game and ran rings around Eldar Civic. It was a shame Sergi Roberto wasn’t in closer support to take full advantage of the forward’s ability to slip his man. Had a few wild attempts on goal but probably should have been on the score sheet when Messi put him through one-on-one.
Leo Messi: Messi took the game by the scruff of the neck and in doing so raised the level of those around him. When Messi ticks, Barcelona tick as well. Run after run at the visiting back four took defenders out of the equation and he the opening goal came from a penalty the Argentinean earned for himself. He added two assists and was a constant menace to the Ferencváros back four.
Ansu Fati: Ran into a brick wall on several occasions cutting in from the right but his enthusiasm in front of goal reaped rewards from De Jong’s assist, although it wasn’t the cleanest strike he has ever hit. Hooked on the hour mark to preserve him for the Clásico.
Substitutes
Pedri: The summer signing continues to impress with his style of play and he added a debut goal to another fine performance.
Ousmane Dembélé: A hugely encouraging cameo from the Frenchman, whose assist for Perdi was a flashback to his early days at the club. Also added a first goal in just over a year in a performance that will give Koeman food for thought.
Junior: Lacked rhythm on his first appearance of the season but offers an alternative at the back.
Ronald Araújo: Came on when Piqué was sent off and put in a decent shift at the back. He will be called on again in Turin.
Sergio Busquets: On for the final 15 minutes to steady the ship and did just that.