Player ratings as Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann inspire big win

Ronald Koeman watched his Barcelona side to a 4-0 win at Los Carmenes on Saturday night, as accolades from Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann helped the Blaugrana pass Granada to climb back to third place in the La Liga table.

The visitors had a little scare in the first period as Antonio Puertas forced a good save from Marc-André ter Stegen in a few minutes. However, Barcelona’s quality proved too important to their hosts. On either side of Puertas missing a chance – which would have been called offside in any case – Griezmann returned the opening game after a lucky deflection of Roberto Soldado’s boot into the box and Messi finished exquisitely in the upper corner of the net from 18 years old. meters.

The Argentinian then produced a moment of magic by converting a free kick, just outside the box, into the goalkeeper’s bottom corner, to score his 11th league goal of the season and ensure that the Blaugrana entered the break 3-0.

Granada showed promise after the break but finally found a fourth after a prolonged period of pressure as Griezmann received the ball from Ousmane Dembele and finished with aplomb to secure a brace in the 63rd minute.

Now to the odds.

Marc-André ter Stegen (GK) – 6/10 – Made a crucial save in the early stages of the match and stopped a head-to-head opportunity – though it wouldn’t have mattered. The German was relatively calm after the interval.

Sergino Dest (RB) – 6/10 – Although he sometimes looked irregular in his defensive duties, the American had a solid game, winning possession three times before being taken out.

Oscar Mingueza (CB) – 8/10 – The young center-back handled Soldado’s experience to perfection, and ended the game after making two clearances and regaining possession twice.

Samuel Umtiti (CB) – 8/10 – The Frenchman was a last minute addition to the starting XI and proved calm and focused on the ball. The 2018 World Cup winner finished the match with 97% passing accuracy.

Jordi Alba (LB) – 6/10 – A quiet game for the Spaniard. It was generally not used throughout, making 79 unusually low keys.

Frenkie De Jong (CM) – 8/10 – Another influential outing for the Dutchman, who finished his time on the pitch with 89% passing accuracy and after making two key passes for his side.

Sergio Busquets (CM) – 8/10 – The veteran celebrated his 600th appearance for the club with a classic performance from an unsung hero, making 131 touches on the ball and providing three key passes while protecting all four fullbacks with great effect.

Pedri (CM) – 7/10 – The youngster had another good game for the Blaugrana, making brilliant forward runs to create space. He won the free kick at the end of the first half which Messi ultimately converted.

Ousmane Dembele (RW) – 6/10 – Failed to produce a final product for the most part, ending his fate on the pitch with no shots on target. However, he provided a nice assist for Griezmann’s second.

Lionel Messi (ST) – 8/10 – The Argentine once again showed his class and scored two phenomenal goals in the final ten minutes of the first half. He was substituted with 25 minutes left for a well-deserved break.

Antoine Griezmann (LW) – 9/10 – A fantastic outing for the Frenchman, assisting Messi’s first and showing a murderous finish to score a brace – setting him on five La Liga goals for the campaign.

Martin Brathwaite (ST) – 6/10

Miralem Pjanic (CM) – 6/10

Riqui Puig (CM) – 7/10 – Showed why he was considered a prospect. Injected rhythm and life into the Barcelona midfielder and was the cause of the dismissal of Vallejo with a perfect ball.

Trincao (RW) – 5/10

Junior Firpo (RB) – 6/10