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Barcelona logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 21, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Ajax

3-1

Neymar (7'), Messi (24'), Ramirez (94')
FT(HT: 2-0)
El-Ghazi (88')

Player Ratings: Barcelona 3-1 Ajax

Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during Barcelona's 3-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League.

Barcelona moved onto six points in Group F with a 3-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League this evening.

Goals from Neymar and Lionel Messi left the home side with a comfortable two-goal lead at the break.

Ajax improved in the second period and had a goal back late on through Anwar El Ghazi, but Sandro Ramirez made sure of the points for the Catalan outfit in stoppage time.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed in the European clash.


Andres Iniesta of FC Barcelona duels for the ball with Niki Zimiling of AFC Ajax during a UEFA Champions League Group F match on October 21, 2014© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Had his feet up until the latter stages, when he was forced to pick the ball out of his own net. Could not do much with the goal as he was left horribly exposed by his defenders. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Hardly had anything to worry about defensively, but his crossing in forward areas was disappointing. Took a couple of late free kicks, both of which whistled high and wide. (6/10)

Gerard Pique: Had an uncomfortable night. Almost cost his side a goal with some sloppy defending in the first period and looked a touch off-the-pace when put under pressure. (5/10)

Marc Bartra: Did not cover himself in glory for the Ajax goal, but overall, the defender had a solid night on his return to the team. (6/10)

Jordi Alba: Always a threat in wide areas and always busy down the left of the field. Caused the Ajax defence a host of problems at the Camp Nou. (7/10)

Midfield

Javier Mascherano: Was again deployed in midfield due to Sergio Busquets's injury and put in a really strong performance. Mopped up everything in front of his back four. (7/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Was criticised after the Paris Saint-Germain defeat, but responded with a solid performance this evening. Kept things ticking over in the middle of the park. (7/10)

Andres Iniesta: Another brilliant display from the Spaniard, who was always a threat. Should have scored in the first half after a sensational run from deep. (8/10)

Attack

Pedro: Another poor showing from the Spanish international, who has struggled this season. Hit the post in the first period, but faded badly in the second 45 minutes. (6/10)

Lionel Messi: Set up Neymar for Barcelona's first of the evening, before scoring the second with a brilliant finish. Was subsituted with little over 20 minutes remaining. (8/10)

Neymar: Scored the first of the evening with a brilliant finish and remained a threat during his 62 minutes on the field. Will now be well rested for the Clasico this weekend. (7/10)

Substitutes

Sandro Ramirez: Continues to impress as the Spaniard came off the bench to score a brilliant third for his team. Ajax could not deal with the youngster's pace and direct running. (7/10)

Munir El Haddadi: Played his part in Sandro's goal, while his movement caused problems as the match became stretched in the latter stages. (7/10)

Rafinha: Showed some nice touches in the final 15 minutes and won a couple of vital free kicks just after Ajax had found a way back into the match. (6/10)


Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) scores during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona vs Ajax Amsterdam at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 21, 2014© Getty Images

AJAX

Goal

Jasper Cillessen: Might have done a little better with Barcelona's second of the night, but did make some smart saves throughout the 90 minutes. (6/10)

Defence

Ricardo van Rhijn: Proved a threat in the final third of the field and rattled one just wide of the post late on. That said, his tackling was rash at times. (6/10)

Joel Veltman: Picked up a booking in the first period and did not look the same player thereafter. Struggled to contain the movement of an interchanging Barcelona attack. (6/10)

Niklas Moisander: Very strong in the air, but struggled to deal with Barcelona's cuteness on the deck. Improved in the second half after a poor first 45 minutes. (6/10)

Nick Viergever: Made some crucial interceptions in the second period, but was hardly seen as an attacking threat due to the dominance from the home side. (6/10)

Midfield

Davy Klaassen: Would have been expected to contribute in an attacking sense, but spent the majority of the match attempting to help out those in defensive areas. (6/10)

Niki Zimling: Was withdrawn early in the second period after struggling to make his mark. Did not see anywhere near enough of the ball to have a positive influence. (5/10)

Lucas Andersen: Did his best to make things happen in the final third and won a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas. Far from his side's most disappointing player on the night. (6/10)

Attack

Lasse Schone: Always looked the most likely to make something happen in the final third. Showed some nice touches on the ball, but needed a bit more from those around him. (7/10)

Kolbeinn Sigthorsson: Had a long-range effort deflected just wide of the post towards the end of the first period, but struggled to seriously influence the match. (5/10)

Ricardo Kishna: Showed flashes of his capabilities in the first period, but faded in the second. Plenty of ability on the ball, but lacked an end product. (6/10)

Substitutes

Arkadiusz Milik: Gave his side a physical presence in the final third and unsettled the Barcelona defence without really having a serious influence on proceedings. (6/10)

Jairo Riedewald: Brought some pace and energy to the attack in the second period, but was slightly rash with his tackling in the latter stages. (6/10)

Anwar El Ghazi: Made his mark with a well-taken goal in the latter stages. Had just 17 minutes on the field, but looked a threat from the moment he entered. (7/10)


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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) scores during the UEFA Champions League football match FC Barcelona vs Ajax Amsterdam at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 21, 2014
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Match Analysis: Barcelona 3-1 Ajax
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