Player ratings: Messi back with a bang - it's like he's never been away!

Player ratings: Messi back with a bang - it's like he's never been away!

Marc-Andre ter Stegen 8

Barcelona could have put him to work on cutting the half-time oranges, he had that little to do in the first half. Made a great save from former Barcelona youth player Iago Falque in the second before denying Edin Dzeko from the penalty spot. Couldn't take a clean sheet home after the Bosnian netted at the death.

Dani Alves 7

Carefully put the ball on a plate for Luis Suarez to tap home the opener. A solid performance, conserving energy - wise considering Barcelona have no other actual right-backs and he needs to play every game, until Aleix Vidal can be registered. 

Gerard Pique 8

Solid as you like at the back, and got his goal too, after being denied it in El Clasico by Munir shooting wide. Taken off for a rest.

Thomas Vermaelen 7

If injury problems leave him alone, he could end up being a very useful acquisition for Barcelona. A calm and controlled display - and unfortunate to give a penalty away when Dzeko ran into him. 

Jordi Alba 7

Like Alves, perhaps he has limited his forays forward to conserve energy. A clear first-choice and not someone who Barcelona can afford to have tired. Flawless at the back. 

Sergio Busquets 9

A couple of excellent through balls could and should have lead to goals for Barcelona. Taken off at half-time for Sergi Samper, for a well deserved rest.

Ivan Rakitic 8

The Croatian is still finding his level after being injured. He has a lot to offer in an attacking sense but what the team needs from him right now is effort and dilligence, and he is delivering without complaint.

Sergi Roberto 8

At what point do we stop thinking Sergi Roberto is in good form and just accept he has become a very good player? Perhaps that day is coming. Another Xavi-esque display.

Lionel Messi 10

Missed a couple of early chances. Was he rusty after his recent return from injury? No chance. Barcelona's second goal was finished excellently by the Argentine but he passed the ball several times in the build up to it too. All round genius.

Luis Suarez 9

Tapped home to break the deadlock after a fine team move and then scored his second in very different fashion, with a bombastic, searing volley from the edge of the box. Brutal. It was his dink that Messi latched onto for the second too, one of the goals of the season.

Neymar 9

A brilliant pass to Alves led to the opening goal and he also had a big part in the build-up to both of Messi's strikes. Some of the moves he used on Maicon would have forced his compatriot to consider retirement. Missed a penalty but Adriano bagged the rebound. 

SUBS

Sergi Samper 7

Stepped into Busquets' shoes and did a good job as Barcelona continued to control the game.

Marc Bartra 7

Perhaps was brought on for sympathy reasons, after being cut from the Clasico squad, but can obviously hold his own at this level.

Adriano 7

Rammed home after Neymar's penalty had been saved.