Player Ratings
César Sánchez - 8 - Solid performance from the veteran. Didn't have many saves to make, but was always there when called upon.
Miguel Brito - 8 - Kept Pedro quiet all night long. Very good defensively.
David Navarro - 8 - Excellent display from the captain. Navarro has formed a fantastic partnership with Dealbert the last few matches.
Ángel Dealbert - 8 - Dealbert's positional play was great. Didn't put a foot wrong during the match.
Bruno Saltor - 8 - The former Almería man has said before that he is uncomfortable at left back, but you wouldn't know it from this match. Messi did nothing down the flank during the entire match.
David Albelda - 7.5 - Helped break up the Barca attack on multiple occasions, but his passing was less than stellar.
Éver Banega - 7.5 - Didn't display his usual passing range today. Banega was more involved on the defensive side of the ball today, and was very effective.
Pablo Hernández - 8.5 - Valencia's most dangerous player offensively. The only thing lacking from Pablo was a goal, but that can be said about most of VCF's attackers.
David Silva - 8.5 - Silva can be up and down, but he was up against Barca. Like Pablo, the only complaint can be that his finishing was absent.
Jérémy Mathieu - 8 - Everyone was suprised to see the Frenchman in midfield. Clearly it was a defensive tactic to shut down Messi by Emery, and it worked beautifully. Messi was missing in action the whole match, and Mathieu managed some very dangerous crosses as well. Mathieu has improved every single match for Valencia and is now starting to deliver on the hype that surrounded his arrival.
Juan Mata - 7 - Was a constant threat up front, but was caught offside six times.
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Valencia Club de Fútbol, Penya GeoChe vol.17
