Barcelona coach Luis Enrique celebrated 100 days in charge at the club with a far more straightforward win over Ajax than the 3-1 result suggests. If repeated in Amsterdam in two weeks it should mean his side’s qualification to the next round is a mere formality. 

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique celebrated 100 days in charge at the club with a far more straightforward win over Ajax than the 3-1 result suggests. If repeated in Amsterdam in two weeks it should mean his side’s qualification to the next round is a mere formality.

More importantly was the fluid passing performance his side gave in the wake of Saturday’s first Clasico of the season. Two early goals came from the usual source — Lionel Messi and Neymar — before Ajax got a scrappy consolation with two minutes remaining, then substitute Sandro Ramirez continued his good first season with the third.

The nature of the victory will please Enrique ahead of the trip to Madrid and will have given him a few headaches over his starting eleven in the Santiago Bernabeu. The intense focus that one of the key fixtures of Barca’s season always carries with it can begin.

Player ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating):

(GK) Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 — Did not have a save to make but showed again that he has ability with his feet to adapt to Barca’s style of play. Could do nothing with the Ajax goal from close range, he needs a few games where he will be given the chance to show his talents to help him finally settle in at Barca.

(DF) Dani Alves, 7 — Another solid game, he is performing much better this season than last and should be a shoe in for the right back slot in Madrid.

(DF) Gerard Pique, 6 — Slowly improving but still far from his best and still prone to moments of madness. He should be favorite to partner Jeremy Mathieu in Madrid. Had to show his aerial ability on a few occasions and that will be required again against Ronaldo and company, if picked.

(DF), Marc Bartra, 7 — Defensively very little to do but did well to block the opposition’s only goal bound shot of the first half. Going forward, he showed confidence in playing the ball out of defence in the style Barca require, an ability that shows why the club has persevered with him for so long.

(DF) Jordi Alba, 6 — Only called on defensively in the final minutes when Ajax saw an opportunity and he did well to clear the danger. Did little going forward, but dependable as ever and almost certain to start in Madrid.

(MF) Andres Iniesta, 9 — Back to his best, showed great appetite to get involved and demonstrated on countless occasions his world class ability to play in restricted spaces. His pass to Messi for the second was also world class. Later a driving run through the Ajax defence almost produced a wonder goal.

(MF) Javier Mascherano, 8 — He is shaping up to be the midfield alternative for the Bernaebu if Sergio Busquets does not make it. He does the similar holding job so well, cutting out Ajax’s attempts to attack all evening, including one vs. one touch to set up the move for the second goal.

(MF) Ivan Rakitic, 6 — A quiet game by his standards against an opponent that offered little going forward. He will be involved in the Bernabeu, almost definitely from the start.

(FW) Pedro Rodriguez, 7 — Ran for 90 minutes and slammed a shot against the post while showing neat footwork to combine at times with his two attacking partners. The question remains whether he will be preferred to start ahead of Luis Suarez on Saturday, the fact he was not rested suggests the answer is no.

(FW) Lionel Messi, 8 — Busy for an hour before being rested with the game all but won and Saturday in mind. Yet again showed his increasing ability to supply with superb running to play Neymar in for the first goal, before he grabbed his own.

(FW) Neymar, 7 — Finished well for the first goal after great passing between Messi, Pedro and Rakitic. Showed some neat touches before being given thirty minutes rest to help prepare for Saturday.

Subs:

Sandro Ramirez, 7 — Given 30 minutes and found it difficult at first to get involved in a game that was already won. However he showed how deadly his finishing can be with a superbly taken goal when given the chance in the final moments.

Munir, 6 — Came on for Messi with 25 minutes left, perhaps as an exercise in Enrique proving the point that he can change the Argentine as much as to rest him ahead of Saturday. Laid on the late goal for Sandro.

Rafinha, N/R — Back from injury and will be happy to have completed his first fifteen minutes of action in more than a month.