Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-0 Valencia

Looked solid virtually throughout. Came charging off his line to clear outside his area in the first half - and this time not with his hands. Then saved brilliantly from Jordi Alba when the full-back looked set to score. Also pushed over a Jonas piledriver in the second half, but came out for the ball and missed in the second half and will have been relieved as Mascherano cleared.

Defended well against Feghouli and Miguel as Valencia had little joy down his side of the pitch. Also made some good runs down the flank and offered decent support to Alexis and his midfield, but his poor positioning early on allowed Feghouli in for a good chance.

Put under pressure by the Valencia forwards but managed to help himself out of some difficult situations as he showed some neat skills and his usual calm on the ball. Given one or two difficult moments by the pace of Jordi Alba but largely untroubled.

Switched to full-back as in last week's first leg match and looked assured in the position, having started his career as a wide defender. Spirited as usual, with some key blocks and even played one or two balls into the box at the other end.

Gave Barca the lead with a sublime finish as he lobbed Diego Alves with an exquisite shot. Had two more good chances to extend Barca's lead, but was unable to beat the Brazilian again. Set up Messi for a chance with a glorious ball, though, and laid on the second goal for Xavi.

Solid in the most part in his central defensive role, looking comfortable alongside Pique and Puyol, the Argentine made one vital clearance under pressure from Aduriz as Pinto came for the ball and missed.

On Saturday he failed to convince alongside Jonathan dos Santos, but was back next to the master, Xavi, in this match, and appeared far more comfortable, linking up with short, triangular passes with his forwards and midfield colleagues. Also produced one fantastic 'roulette' at the end.

Returning to the side after a two-game rest, Xavi struggled with Valencia's early intensity but grew in stature as Barca slowly took control of the game. Came close with a neat lobbed effort in the second half and scored the second with a brilliant finish after that.

Went down easily in the area in the first half, and the referee waved play on. Was caught offside when Barca could have launched a promising attack and struggled to get the better of the robust Mathieu. Also shot off target in a mediocre game by his standards.

Looks more comfortable on the right than on the left - and it showed in this match. Kept cutting inside instead of running at his man, sent one effort off target from close range when he should have scored, but did set up Messi for a great chance which was spurned.

Hesitant as he stayed on his line for Cesc's opener, which he could probably have cut out, but redeemed himself with a string of wonderful saves from Fabregas himself and Messi. Could do nothing about the second goal and was simply overworked in the end.

Some heroic defending from the Frenchman, who came up with a series of blocks and used his pace to get him out of trouble on more than one occasion. In the end, however, he was unable to cope with the inevitable onslaught from the home side.

Impressed both defensively with some fine full-back play up against Alexis as he restricted the Chilean's influence and in his forward running as he switched dangerously with Jordi Alba. Also set up Feghouli for a wonderful chance early on in the game.

A Barcelona youth player and much-publicised target for the Catalan club, the Spain full-back impressed - like Mathieu - both defensively and offensively, coming closer than anyone to giving Valencia the vital goal they needed to get themselves back in the game.

Solid up against Cuenca but less impressive going forward, aside from one or two decent deep passes. Has been in the team for years, but looks to be living on borrowed time in a position Valencia could strengthen in the summer.

An impressive display from the former Espanyol man, who produced a no-nonsense performance and cut out numerous balls into the danger area. Like Rami, however, he was overcome by the sheer force of the Barca attack.

You know what you will get from Albelda and his experienced head in midfield help Valencia to dominate in the early stages as he cleaned up in the centre of the park. But he is less mobile than he used to be and faded in the second half before eventually being taken off.

Good and bad from Banega, who showed some excellent touches but also gave away possession far too many times in key areas, which you cannot afford to do at Camp Nou.

In for the flu-ridden Roberto Soldado, the Basque forward led the line well and provided an outlet up front, but was off target with a lobbed effort in the first half and beaten to a loose ball later by Mascherano. Did his best, but Soldado was missed.

A positive presence behind Aduriz, but rarely troubled Pinto in the Barca goal. Some neat touches and stung the keeper's hand with a rasping drive, which Pinto pushed over. Other than that, not too much.