Barcelona player ratings as Samuel Umtiti is a tower of strength but Luis Suarez looks well below fitness

Andy West 21:11 16/09/2017
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  • Paulinho

    Paulinho scored his first Barcelona goal six minutes from time as the Catalan giants came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Getafe on Saturday and open up a seven-point lead over Real Madrid.

    Barca were dealt a double blow before half-time as record signing Ousmane Dembele limped off with a hamstring injury before Gaku Shibasaki’s sensational volley put Getafe in front.

    However, Barca’s responded thanks to their substitutes as both Denis Suarez and Paulinho came from the bench to turn the game around.

    Here is Andy West player ratings from the clash…

    GETAFE

    Guaita 7 – Made a spectacular save to keep out Messi’s free-kick and was helpless for the goals

    Suarez 6 – Solid and typically committed display from the experienced right-back

    Dakonam 7 – Had Suarez in his pocket but was beaten by Paulinho for the winning goal

    Cala 6 – Decent display in the centre of a Getafe defence which denied Barca room

    Antunes 7 – Particularly strong first half from the Portuguese, who looks a good signing for Getafe

    Arambarri 6 – Fairly quiet but could have won it with a deflected shot against the post at 1-1

    Bergara 7 – Energetic and influential in the opening period, and disciplined in defence after the break

    Fajr 5 – Disappointing performance from the talented but lightweight playmaker

    Shibasaki 7 – Stunning strike for the opening goal and showed neat skills before departing injured

    NDiaye 5 – Pacy winger made little impact and was substituted midway through the second half

    Molina 6 – Had Pique in all sorts of trouble in the first half but faded after the break

    SUBSTITUTES

    Jimenez 6 – Some flashes of danger but frustratingly inconsistent end product

    Mora 6 – Neat and composed from the bench for the last 20 minutes

    Portillo – Not enough time to make an impact

    Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas

    Getafe head coach Jose Bordalas

    BARCELONA

    Ter Stegen 6 – Well beaten for the goal but generally solid and made a decent save from Jimenez near the end

    Roberto 6 – Generally not as influential as he’d like but played a key role in the equaliser with a nice assist to Denis

    Pique 5 – Lacked his usual composure and was made to look clumsy by Molina in the first half

    Umtiti 8 – A tower of strength at the back for Barca, with several timely challenges and interceptions

    Alba 6 – Less involved that other recent games but showed willing attitude to attack when possible

    Rakitic 6 – Struggled to link up with Messi in the inside-right position and was replaced by Paulinho

    Busquets 6 – Suffered from the disjointed team display around him and unable to control the game

    Iniesta 6 – Tried to push Barca forward in the first half and created a good chance for Umtiti before being withdrawn

    Dembele 5 – Again looked lost and had little positive impact before suffering a hamstring injury and coming off

    Messi 6 – Quiet by his standards but denied a great free-kick goal by a wondrous save and teed up Paulinho for the winner

    Suarez 4 – Horribly leaden-footed outing for the misfiring Uruguayan, who looks well below full fitness

    Lionel Messi was quiet but Samuel Umtiti was a tower of strength

    Lionel Messi was quiet but Samuel Umtiti was a tower of strength

    SUBSTITUTES

    Deulofeu 6 – Maintained the team shape well and always available to offer attacking width down the right

    Denis 7 – Introduced for Iniesta, equalised with an excellent finish and always offered penetration from the left

    Paulinho 7 – Did exactly what he was brought on for by receiving Messi’s pass and striding forward to score a great winner

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