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Player ratings as Luis Suarez, Aleix Vidal and Jordi Alba standout for Barcelona in win over Girona

Andy West

01:19 24/09/2017

Barcelona maintained their perfect start to La Liga with a sixth straight win as Luis Suarez and two own goals secured a 3-0 win at Girona on Saturday.

Here, we rate the players from both sides.

GIRONA

Iraizoz 6 – Made some good saves but ruined all his otherwise solid work with a bad mistake for Barca’s second goal, turning Vidal’s cross into his own goal.

Ramalho 5 – Some poor heavy touches and generally below the pace of the game.

Espinosa 6 – Tried to impose authority in the centre of defence and showed his long-range passing skills.

Juanpe 6 – Had his hands full with Suarez but, with one exception, did enough to keep the Uruguayan at bay.

Portu 6 – Showed his pace down the right wing and although he rarely got the better of Alba, Girona’s best two chances came from his crosses.

Maffeo 7 – Essentially had one job: following Messi wherever he went. Stuck to his task diligently and succeeded in limiting the Argentine’s influence.

Pons 6 – Made some nice passes and breaks in an attempt to break between Barca’s midfield and defence.

Garcia 6 – Served as the playmaker for Girona from his position in midfield but was too deep to pose any threat.

Aday 5 – Plenty of attacking purpose down the left but had a tough game defensively, scoring a clumsy own goal.

Luiz 6 – Girona’s most technically accomplished performer in his attacking midfield role, and forced a decent early save from ter Stegen, but faded.

Olunga 5 – Powerful in the air, often getting the better of Umtiti in that respect, but lacked finesse around the box and was replaced.

Girona’s defender Juanpe Ramirez (C)

SUBS

Kayode 5 – Came on for Olunga in attack but failed to impress.

Mojica 6 – Decent from the bench in place of Aday – maybe should have started.

Moreno – Too little time to make an impact.

Girona’s Bernardo Espinosa (R)

BARCELONA

Ter Stegen 6 – Made one good early stop from Luis but was otherwise largely uninvolved.

Roberto 7 – Mr Versatility returned to his right-back slot and delivered a typically enthusiastic performance, including a great assist for Suarez.

Mascherano 6 – A rare start for the veteran Argentine, who defended well but was occasionally poor in his distribution.

Umtiti 6 – Looked a little shaken by the aerial power of Olunga at the start but gradually recovered his poise.

Alba 8 – Won his personal battle with Portu and was always an attacking threat, including the shot which led to the own goal opener.

Paulinho 5 – Some powerful forward runs but minimal influence in the construction of play and the first man to be substituted.

Rakitic 7 – Performed in the deep role usually occupied by Sergio Busquets and carried out the task well, looking very comfortable.

Iniesta 6 – Some touches of class in a congested midfield, but couldn’t offer penetration in and around the penalty area.

Vidal 7 – Back in favour on the right of attack and did well, regularly stretching Girona’s defence with his direct running and conjuring a cheeky back heel for the second goal.

Messi 6 – Unusually quiet due to the limpet-like attentions of Maffeo, restricted to easily his most subdued game of the season.

Suarez 7 – Back in the goals after a poor run of form and was a sharp, determined threat throughout the game.

Barcelona’s players celebrate

SUBS

Busquets 6 – Came on from the bench and was his usual authoritative self.

Denis 6 – Some nice touches in a cameo appearance from the bench.

Gomes 5 – Little impact after coming on for Vidal near the end.

Luis Suarez

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