Videos Live Scores Podcasts Opinion Interviews Business of Sport Inside Story Football Cricket Tennis Formula One Golf NBA UFC UAE Racquet Sports Fitness

Barcelona 1-0 Levante: Player ratings as ‘super-sub’ Lionel Messi secures La Liga title party

Andy West

00:49 28/04/2019

Lionel Messi inevitably inspired Barcelona’s title-clinching 1-0 victory over Levante at Camp Nou, scoring just 15 minutes after appearing as a half-time substitute.

But it wasn’t a particularly impressive performance from the Blaugrana, with some hit and miss performances.

Find out more with our full player ratings from a celebratory night for the newly crowned champions:

BARCELONA (4-3-3)

Marc-Andre ter Stegen 6: Had nothing to do for an hour, but kept his concentration to deny Mayoral well just after the first goal.

Nelson Semedo 6: Was steady at the back and always willing to come forward, linking up well with Dembele in the first half.

Gerard Pique 6: Initially commanding performance from Barca’s defensive leader but shaky in the latter stages as Levante pressed.

Clement Lenglet 7: Missed a free header after five minutes but did well in his defensive task, especially when Levante attacked late on.

Jordi Alba 7: Had some sloppy moments in the second half but was a motor up and down the left flank, posing regular danger.

Arturo Vidal 7: Charged around with intensity and used the ball well, combining those two assets to assist Messi’s opener.

Ivan Rakitic 6: Occupied the Busquets role in deep midfield, often imprecise with the ball but came close with a classy curler.

Arthur 6: Some nice passing including a great through ball to Coutinho. Faded and was replaced with 20 minutes left.

Ousmane Dembele 6: Had five decent chances in the first half, including a free-kick against the bar, before being replaced by Messi.

Luis Suarez 6: Came close after 90 seconds and proceeded to lead the line with hunger, but his radar wasn’t quite on target.

Philippe Coutinho 7: Flitted in and out of the game. Played a key role in the opener, but was erratic and often wasteful.

SUBSTITUTES

Lionel Messi 7: Came on at half-time and soon scored with a slick angled finish. Came close with another couple of efforts.

Sergio Busquets 6: Entered the fray for the last 20 minutes and struggled to impose himself as Levante pushed for a leveller.

Sergi Roberto N/A: Final substitution and was restricted to helping out defensively in a hectic finale to the action.

LEVANTE (4-1-4-1)

Aitor Fernandez 7: Made a pair of good early stops to deny Suarez and Coutinho, got a hand on Messi’s goal but couldn’t keep it out.

Coke 6: Solid display from the veteran skipper, although his attacking impact was limited as he focussed on tracking Alba.

Ruben Vezo 5: Looked fragile in the heart of defence, booked for hauling back Messi and clearly the weak link in Levante’s back four.

Rober 7: Steady in defence and did a good job minimising the threat in front of goal posed by Suarez, including a great block.

Antonio Luna 6: Had a tough task against Dembele and Semedo, but more comfortable in the second half after Dembele swapped wings.

Jason 6: Operating on the right he was initially shackled but came to life in the latter stages, prompting play well.

Jose Campana 6: Tried to get on the ball in midfield but could rarely do so, although he found more support near the end.

Nikola Vukcevic 7: Sat calmly in front of the back four, combining tigerish tackling with measured passing. Replaced after the opener.

Ruben Rochina 6: Produced some smart touches and showed positional discipline, knitting play well in midfield.

Moses Simon 4: Unable to make much impact at all down the left wing, and substituted at the interval for Morales.

Borja Mayoral: On-loan Real Madrid forward linked play well at times, but couldn’t take a big chance with an angled shot.

SUBSTITUTES

Jose Luis Morales 7: Introduced at half-time and fired a great chance over, but contributed to his team’s attacking improvement.

Enis Bardhi 6: Came on after Levante went behind, curled a free-kick against the bar and fired a late shot against the post.

Roger N/A:  Levante’s last throw of the dice in the final ten minutes, got into dangerous positions without being decisive.

More from barcelona

dentsu Sports International launches in the Middle East and North Africa

ONE Championship determined to help grow martial arts in MENA following Qatar success 

 “Where there’s a ball, there’s a Pepsi” campaign brings football fans closer to the action in Saudi Arabia and beyond

Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League wraps up 2024 season with spectacular finals attended by Julius Erving and Jason Williams

SPIA 2024 winners awarded at gala ceremony in Atlantis, The Palm

ONE 166: Qatar ‘exceeded all expectations’ says Group President, next event already in the works 

Most Popular