Barcelona vs. Villarreal – Player Ratings for Barcelona (Part 1)
Victor Valdes – 6.0
The Barcelona goal stopper was rarely troubled during the match. He stepped up whenever he was needed but with Barcelona dominating for most of the game, he was rarely called into action. He made an outstanding save during the first half as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giuseppe-Rossi-c15027
tried to find the back of the net. Later, he made a wonderful diving save to keep a well deserving clean sheet.
Victor Valdes is often underrated because of the outstanding defence which plays right in front of him. However, he proved that he is an outstanding goal stopper whenever he is put into action. Last season he won the golden glove award in the Spanish La
Liga because he conceded the least amount of goals.
Eric Abidal – 7.5
The Frenchman was the only defender playing in the team. With http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-c9879 Alves out injured, Eric Abidal was the only defender available for Josep Guardiola. Josep Guardiola fielded a three man defence and Eric Abidal fitted
in the system perfectly. Abidal featured a left centre back and despite the fact that there were only three defenders, he made a run forward to help his side keep possession in the midfield.
Abidal was solid and it was not easy to get past him. It was a good all-round performance by the Barcelona star. He was the saviour for the Spanish Champions last season as he replaced http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331 in the centre back position and he has done the same as
this season has kicked off.
Javier Mascherano – 6.0
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Mascherano-c18071 also featured in a centre back role. However, he played in a right centre back position. He often made a run forward from the right flank to help his team keep the ball in the midfield. The Catalans were playing with a three man midfield
and the Argentinean captain was able to adapt to the system perfectly.
Mascherano has often played in the centre back position for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 but it was for the first time that he was playing in a three man defence. The Argentinean man was comfortable throughout the game and he was rarely troubled. He was on his toes whenever
he was needed but he gave away two free kicks while making a tackle. He is still learning the Spanish style of play.
Sergio Busquets – 6.5
Sergio Busquets was also one of those players who is not naturally centre back but he still featured in that role with most of the defenders sitting this game out. Josep Guardiola played the team in a 3-4-3 formation and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Busquets-c33048 was the player who
featured in the centre back position.
Busquets showed that he has adapted to Josep Guardiola’s system perfectly. Despite not being a centre back naturally, he managed to settle well in the centre back position. He made a few vital tackles. Most of the Barcelona team was thirsty for the ball
and the defenders rarely had to do much but Busquets made sure that he is on his toes whenever he is needed.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the editorial policy of www.bettor.com
Tags: