Jordi Alba
Never one to lack fight and courage, Jordi Alba played with total commitment during the 0-0 draw against Espanyol. However, it has to be said that Alba’s overall performance was not of the desired quality and his passing at times was atrocious.
While Barcelona did manage to keep a clean sheet, Alba did not have much defending to do throughout the course of the match and the Spanish international would surely be disappointed at not being able to offer more down the flanks in attack.
Dani Alves
Another Barcelona full back who had a poor game against Espanyol was Dani Alves. While Jordi Alba and Dani Alves are pillars of consistency for Barcelona, the duo performed well below their standards on Saturday.
Much like Alba, even Alves did not create much going forward – with his crosses into the box being uncharacteristically inaccurate, while the Brazilian international also did not look too comfortable while dealing with the Espanyol wide men.
It is clear that Alves will not want to remember the clash for too long and will be hopeful of making a more positive impact on Wednesday night when Barcelona faces Espanyol once again, this time in the Copa Del Rey.
Ivan Rakitic
Moving away from the defenders, even the more advanced players did not enjoy the best of outings against Espanyol and it has to be said that the usually solid Ivan Rakitic endured a poor afternoon.
Rakitic was unable to exert any sort of influence during the clash and due to his ineffectiveness, manager Luis Enrique decided to haul off the midfielder on the 70th minute in favour of Sergi Roberto.
