Messi- still the man, by a long shot
Rakitic- the crucial extra 4th man in attack that kept pressuring and disrupting the Atletico defense. The front trio would have had a much harder time without him.
Suarez- best provider besides Messi, and took his goal well.
HM:
Neymar- great tenacity throughout the game, and especially to poke in the crucial first goal. Still needs to release the ball quicker in transition.
Busquets- excellent deep performance
Iniesta- sweeping behind the front four, connecting defense with attack
The whole team did well. One has to think that Lucho told them they had to match Atletico in intensity for a good result, and everyone stepped up. Not a game for patience, but for relentless aggression against the bunker defence until it cracked. Not how to play week in week out, but absolutely necessary here.
