FC Barcelona

3.11

• 
  125

  38

  3.50

  Víctor Valdés

  Called into action several times during the match and always dependable, the highlight being a quick-witted parry from Siqueira.

• 
  115

  36

  3.50

  Daniel Alves

  A couple of excellent passes in the first half almost opened the door for Messi and Barca. Always a threat on the right, although he was almost exposed going backwards by Granada's rapid counters.

• 
  82

  47

  3.00

  Adriano

  Untroubled defensively, and broke forward on a number of occasions, albeit with little danger. Taken off for Tello with 15 minutes to go.

• 
  121

  118

  2.50

  Cesc Fàbregas Flop of the Match

  Had one of the hosts' clearest chances with a well-hit effort in the first half. But too often broke the team's rhythm with a wayward or misplaced pass, contributing to a disjointed home display.

• 
  74

  70

  3.00

  Thiago Alcántara

  Disappointing stuff from the young midfielder, who had the chance to prove he could be a worthy stand-in for Xavi but who ended up being replaced by the Barca icon. Too imprecise in possession.

• 
  130

  28

  3.50

  Javier Mascherano

  A mix-up with new partner Song almost cost Barca dear in the opening minutes as Flores let loose from the edge of the area. Otherwise solid stuff from the Argentine, with some intelligent distribution.

• 
  125

  44

  3.00

  Busquets

  A typically understated performance from the holding midfielder, consistently finding his man in the pass and breaking down Granada movement high in their own half.

• 
  138

  38

  3.00

  Alex Song

  Looked less than comfortable early on in his first Barca appearance at the back, but gradually made the role his own and looked decent. Forced a save from Tono with a tricky header.

• 
  108

  60

  2.50

  David Villa

  Off the pace and ineffective, a host of offside decisions called against him summed up a lacklustre display from the ex-Valencia man. Pulled off for Pedro in the second half.

• 
  110

  48

  2.50

  Alexis Sánchez

  Looked on a different wavelength to his team-mates for large stretches of the game, too often going missing. Poor execution of the final ball also let down the talented Chilean.

• 
  199

  83

  3.50

  Lionel Messi

  In the absence of Iniesta and, in the first 45, Xavi, creative responsibility fell on the shoulders of the Ballon d'Or holder. Some mesmerising passages of play, but should have buried a one-on-one chance in the second half. Still, the own goal was down to him.

Substitutions

• 
  207

  22

  4.00

  Xavi

  The inspirational midfielder changed the course of the game for his club. Barca were a different team with Xavi on the pitch, and he set them on the way to victory with a brilliant volley.

• 
  119

  31

  3.00

  Pedro

  Came in for the disappointing Villa after the break, and posed problems with his direct running and movement. Squandered an excellent chance at the death.

• 
  118

  29

  3.00

  Tello

  The youngster entered late in the game for Adriano, as Vilanova desperately chased the three points.

Granada

3.21

• 
  206

  25

  5.00

  Toño Top of the Match

  May well have been surprised at the quiet first half he enjoyed, but was equal to everything thrown at him by the visitors. Positively shone after the break with a seemingly endless sequence of miraculous saves that kept the game level, before Xavi finally beat him with four minutes left. So unlucky to be denied what would have been the most deserved of clean sheets.

• 
  17

  19

  3.00

  Allan Nyom

  Made one telling tackle on Messi to deny the Argentine wizard a chance during the first half. Disciplined positioning time and again caught Villa out offside.

• 
  24

  18

  3.50

  Guilherme Siqueira

  A fierce shot from wide on the left forced Valdes to tip over the bar. His running from deep formed a key part of Granada's play on the break.

• 
  21

  15

  3.50

  Íñigo López

  A titan at the back as Granada stood their ground against their illustrious rivals. On more than one occasion his lunging boot prevented Barca from taking the lead.

• 
  17

  25

  2.50

  Borja Gómez

  Almost left red-faced in the first half when his header went so close to flying into the away net. There was no reprieve in the last minutes, though, an own goal harsh on a player who had defended diligently.

• 
  16

  16

  3.50

  Mikel Rico

  Did an excellent job of harrying and rushing the Barca midfield during the first half, provoking some uncharacteristic wayward passes in the process. Ripping shot almost put Granada into the lead early on.

• 
  16

  14

  3.00

  Iriney

  Like his partner in the middle, had no problem playing from the edge of his own area and frustrating the Catalans just as they smelled the net.

• 
  26

  16

  3.00

  Yacine Brahimi

  An excellent display from the young Frenchman, who was at the heart of almost all Granada's attacking endeavours. Brilliant distribution and caused problems with his dribbling.

• 
  13

  19

  2.50

  Antonio Floro Flores

  A performance full of heart and sacrifice from the forward, who saw his opportunities dry up as the game progressed. Picked up a yellow card for an unnecessary foul on Busquets.

• 
  18

  15

  3.50

  Fabián Orellana

  Took advantage of the spaces forming behind the attack-minded Alves, the only shame was that he didn't see more of the ball.

• 
  17

  18

  3.00

  Gabriel Torje

  A quiet game for the wideman, who got the best of Adriano on a few occasions but who also suffered with the lack of decent possession.

Substitutions

• 
  14

  15

  3.00

  Romero

  Played the last 15 minutes after coming on for the excellent Brahimi.

• 
  12

  14

  3.00

  Juanma Ortiz

  A second-half cameo after replacing Torje.

• 
  26

  19

  3.00

  Youssef El Arabi

  Almost broke the game open late on masterminding a counter squandered by Orellana.