Barcelona (4-3-3)
Marc Andre ter Stegen – 6: Yet another game without a clean sheet for the German, who was let down by some lax defending for the Leverkusen goal. Made some decent saves when called upon but he needs more help from his defence if he’s going to start keeping clean sheets.
Dani Alves – 6: Wasn’t tested much defensively and got a few decent balls into the box at the other end of the pitch.
Gerard Pique – 5: Yet again the big Spaniard looked a shadow of arguably the best defender in Europe last season. Found himself out of position on several occasions but did put in a couple of decent challenges to prevent Leverkusen attacks.
Javier Mascherano – 4: A perfect example of why he isn’t a centre back. The Argentinian got caught out by the Leverkusen counter attack on several occasions and was repeatedly wasteful in possession.
Jeremy Mathieu – 3: Showed himself to be an even worse left-back option than Adriano. He was run ragged by the pace and quality of Bellarabi and Kampl and offered nothing going forwards. Bring back Jordi Alba.
Sergio Busquets – 3: Sometimes you have to question why Busquets is even in this Barca side, and in the last few games he’s done nothing to provide an answer. Against Leverkusen he wasted the ball repeatedly and offered little protection to the defence – a complete waste of space.
Ivan Rakitic – 6: Had a solid game back in the Barca midfield and was unlucky with a handful of shots that tested Leno.
Andres Iniesta – 5: The little Spaniard once again struggled to find space and impose himself on the match before being removed on the hour mark.
Neymar – 5: Struggled to get into the game in the first half but livened up a little in the second, hitting the post and firing just wide with a great opportunity. Also got booked for diving.
Sandro Ramirez – 6: Handed his first Champions League start and showed glimpses of promise, including missing a glorious opportunity in the opening minutes. In truth, he did little to seize the opportunity to fill the gargantuan boots of the injured Lionel Messi.
Luis Suarez – 8: In true Suarez style he worked hard for the team throughout and then sealed all three points with a stunning winning goal, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.
Substitutes:
Jordi Alba – 7: Replaced Iniesta on the hour mark and his pace and directness added some much needed life to a tired Barca performance; it also led to the opening goal. Surely he now has to come back into the left-back position at the weekend?
Sergi Roberto – 7: Came on for Rakitic after 72 minutes and scored Barca’s equaliser after the Leverkusen keeper spilled Munir’s shot to him, but he also looked more lively than Rakitic. Could well have played his way into the starting eleven this weekend.
Munir El-Haddadi – 8: Replaced Sandro on 63 minutes and proved he is the best option to stand in for Messi. His shot was parried to Roberto for the opener, then a great piece of play saw him set up Suarez for the winner. This could be the evening that Munir came of age for Barca.
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