Player Ratings: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona

Looked to have done his homework as he made a brilliant penalty save from Messi in the second half. Also kept out a stinging drive from Abidal after that, but was partly to blame for Puyol's goal as he came out for the ball and missed.

His partnership with Victor Ruiz is an impressive one and largely limited the influence of Messi, but Alexis was allowed to escape twice and the centre-back could have offered more support to Miguel on the right, as well.

His pace on the wing caused Barcelona problems and it was his run past Puyol which set up Jonas for the opener. Could have run more at the Barca defence, as he did in the teams' league meeting back in September.

The reported Barcelona target looked generally solid at left-back as he restricted the influence of Cuenca down the right-hand side and linked up well with Mathieu down the flank.

His clumsy challenge on Thiago led to the penalty and he will have been very relieved to have seen Diego Alves make the save. Given problems by Alexis on the flank and his lapses of concentration could have cost Valencia more.

Was beaten by Puyol as the Barca captain levelled for the visitors, but the former Espanyol man formed an impressive central-defensive partnership with Rami and helped keep Messi quiet.

Put in a shift in midfield as he worked tirelessly to restrict the Catalans' influence. Made countless tackles and kept it simple with his passing. Eventually tired and had to be replaced in the second half by Tino Costa.

Recently signed a new contract and showed his importance to this side with some good work in both defence and attack, but was also booked for a foul on Cesc and gave the ball away to Messi in a dangerous position early on.

Good movement in attack and his partnership with Soldado continues to look impressive. Put Valencia ahead with an excellent finish and looked to get into some good positions for the home side.

He was once dubbed the new Messi but he hasn't really ever lived up to that tag. Did show moments of promise with some exciting forward runs, but wasn't much more impressive than his illustrious compatriot on the night.

Not as dangerous as he has looked this season but still show signs of his quality in attack and was unlucky as Pinto came charging off his line and handled outside the area, a moment which could have swung the match in Valencia's favour but which went unpunished.

Could do nothing about the goal and was largely untroubled but was lucky to stay on the pitch after he handled outside his area under pressure from Soldado. Had he been sent off - as he should have been - the game may have been very different.

Caused occasional problems by the pace of Piatti down the flank but was largely solid and came close to scoring as his stinging drive was saved by Diego Alves.

Competent in central defence as he coped well with the threat of Soldado, using his height and strength to make some key blocks in the area. Poor control saw him lose the ball once on the flank but it came to nothing.

Back in central defence, the Argentine midfielder looked his usual composed self. Picked up a booking and let Soldado get away from him once, but was solid for the most part in his improvised role.

Playing instead of the rested Xavi, the young midfielder didn't have his best game as Barca struggled against an intense Valencia side. He did win the penalty which should have given the Catalans victory, however, only for Messi to miss it.

Did well defensively, did little offensively. Barcelona, rarely, could have done with more creativity and he isn't the man to provide it. Lost possession too many times but did act as a shield for his defence and was important in that respect.

Not his best performance. Caused problems with his pace and twice raced through the Valencia defence, only to screw wide with an awful shot on once occasion and see his other effort saved by Diego Alves.

Has looked brilliant at times this season, but he didn't tonight as he was well marshalled by Jordi Alba. Tried his tricks on the flank but not much came off and he was replaced late on by Tello.

Not his night and he has looked off colour, for a few games now. Had one good run early in the game and came close as he hit a good effort just over the bar late in the first half, but his poor penalty in the second period was saved by Diego Alves as Valencia were let off the hook.