The players’ strike is over and the first round of La Liga matches are now complete. Barcelona and Real Madrid already top the table, with hammerings dished out to Villarreal and Real Zaragoza respectively, and there’s no surprise to see their players dominate the WhoScored ratings. Having already showcased the likes of Ronaldo and Marcelo in yesterday’s European All Star XI, we turn our attentions to a certain Mr. Messi, amongst others, in light of last night’s Nou Camp master class:
Defence
Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid. WhoScored rating 8.36
Madrid’s right-back was impressive at both ends of the pitch on Sunday. Ramos made 2 tackles, 5 interceptions and 4 clearances (all successful) as well as winning 100% of his aerial duels as Jose Mourinho’s side chalked up a clean sheet in their opener at Zaragoza.
Going forwards, Ramos made 45 passes with a 93% accuracy (the second-highest of Madrid’s starting XI) and also played 2 crosses from the flank as he troubled the home side aplenty. He made 1 key pass and picked up 1 assist on his way to an impressive 8.36 rating from WhoScored.com
Filipe Luis, Atletico Madrid. WhoScored rating 8.16
The left-back was exceptional in his side’s goalless draw at home to Osasuna. An astonishing defensive performance saw Luis make 10 interceptions as well as 4 tackles, 2 clearances and winning 100% of his aerial duels.
Only Atletico playmaker Gabi saw more of the ball, as Luis had 94 touches and made 53 passes as he bombed forward down the flank to help his side’s attacks. From out wide, he made 7 crosses and also played 4 long balls from the back, and a total of 3 key passes meant he was Atletico’s third most impressive creator behind only Gabi (9) and Jose Antonio Reyes (6). For a brilliant all-round display, Luis was awarded 8.16 by WhoScord.com.
Midfield
Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid. WhoScored rating 9.04
The German was Madrid’s key creative presence in the 6-0 win at Zaragoza on Sunday evening. Ozil had 83 touches and rather than taking players on (he made no dribbles) Ozil looked to set his team mates up as much as possible.
He made 65 passes- second only to Xabi Alonso- and registered a brilliant 7 key passes, with an 88% pass accuracy. Ozil also fired in 7 crosses, picked up 1 assist and although his unselfishness meant he had just1 shot at goal, a brilliant display from the playmaker saw him pick up a WhoScored.com rating of 9.04.
Thiago Alcantara, Barcelona. WhoScored rating 10
Pep Guardiola fielded a 3-4-3 formation last night, with Thiago on the right of the midfield four. With Xavi absent from the starting line-up, Thiago was the main man in terms of passes- he made an incredible 117 against a beleaguered Villarreal in the 5-0 win. His pass accuracy (91%) was incredible, as he made 3 key passes- the second-highest tally for the home side- and picked up 2 assists.
The twenty year old had an incredible all-round match- he may have had just 1 shot of Barcelona’s 15 attempts but Thiago still managed to find the net, opening the scoring on twenty five minutes. His defensive contribution was fantastic- Thiago made 4 tackles –joint-top with Seydou Keita- as well as 2 interceptions and also won 100% of his aerial duels. Thiago picked up a WhoScored.com rating of 10 and was desperately unlucky not to pick up the man of the match award.
Attack
Lionel Messi, Barcelona. WhoScored rating 10
As usual, Messi was the star of the Barca show. The side’s main goal threat and chief creator, he tore Villarreal to pieces and is already on the top of his game as Barcelona responded to Madrid’s win at Zaragoza in emphatic fashion last night. He had 5 shots, the top for Barca (Alexis Sanchez was next best with 3) and found the net on 2 occasions.
Messi also made a brilliant 6 key passes - double that of Thiago, the next best- and grabbed 1 assist, with an 86% pass accuracy from a total of 76 passes. Messi also made 5 successful dribbles in the 5-0 win and picked up the man of the match award with a perfect 10 for a typically sensational performance.
Roberto Soldado, Valencia. WhoScored rating 9.09
A hat-trick from the Valencia forward capped an incredible comeback at home to Santander. Soldado opened the scoring in the first minute but his side found themselves 3-1 down after 56 minutes and staring defeat in the face. Valencia clawed one back but with just two minutes remaining, were 3-2 down and looking likely to opening their campaign with a shock loss until Soldado stepped forward with two more goals to ensure a 4-3 victory.
Soldado had just 26 touches and made only 11 passes, the least of any player from either starting XI, but when in possession, made it count. He managed 8 of Valencia’s 20 shots, with 5 on target and 3 finding the net. He also helped out defensively with 1 tackle and 1 interception and if it wasn’t for an own goal, would surely have been given a perfect 10. Instead, he was given a match rating of 9.09 by WhoScored.com.
