Many good performances, mixed with some lesser moments.
1. Messi- continued brilliance. Earned all three goals with tenacity and skill.
2. Rakitic- continuing his Atletico performance to show the importance of his working with Messi on the right, providing two assists.
3. Bravo- great reaction save to stop Deportivo's best chance on goal.
If Rakitic could work on Xavi scanning skills, he could become so much more effective. Only really sees what's in front of him- fine when facing goal, but makes him slower to distribute with back to goal.
Third spot could have gone to any number of players. Ratings:
7.5 Iniesta- some excellent key passes that weren't finished.
7.5 Alves- no surprise, continues to be productive with Messi playing on the right.
7.0 Alba- getting back quickly to snuff counters
7.0 Pique- solid
7.0 Mascherano- solid
6.5 Neymar- gets into good positions with his dribbles, but lacking precision in most of his final passes
6.5 Suarez- working hard, doing all the right things, but finishing letting him down
6.0 Busquets- absolutely brilliant most of the time. Would have ranked him much higher except for his oh-so-clever Dean Martin "Mr. Casual" stints, being dispossessed at least three times in dangerous areas.
Subs were good. For their time on the pitch:
8.0 Bartra- great composure and technique
7.0 Rafinha- some excellent runs and passes, but also wasteful
7.0 Pedro- excellent work on several counters, using his best option getting the ball to Rafinha centrally (who failed to make anything with it). Good defensive work as always.