Lenglet gets better every day Barcelona Regular starter under Valverde

He won't appear in photos of the game that will be mostly dedicated to Leo Messi but the role of Clement Lenglet in Saturday's derby win was decisive.

In such a close game that was decided by the enormous quality of the Argentine, the small details add up to big value.

Lenglet was key with three anticipatory actions in particular preventing Espanyol goals.

In the first half, he blocked a shot inside the area at the near post by Borja Iglesias.

In the second half, he had two similar actions to deny Wu Lei potentially preventing Barcelona from coming out of the game with three points.

Lenglet is the kind of player who makes very little noise but whose presence is fundamental.

Since Samuel Umtiti was injured, he has formed a perfect partnership with Gerard Pique at the backbone of the defence.

He has won his position on merit and can now be considered a regular starter, which is why he was in the line-up on Saturday and not Umtiti.

Valverde's gala XI

The coach is not a friend of frills and will take risks to do the right thing, which was an unwillingness to let Atletico Madrid rejoin the title fight.

They had to ensure they won with the Rojiblancos visiting next weekend and that's why the coach opted for his best line-up.

Although Messi wasn't feeling 100 percent fit, he had to play the 90 minutes because the game wasn't decided and he was needed.

Vidal's great cameo

Barcelona needed oxygen in the centre of the park and the Chilean provided it.

His tireless work in the latter stages of the match was important, he was everywhere.

Approval for Coutinho

The Brazilian was dismissed with applause. The home support were generous with him after hearing whistles upon exiting in his last two games.

That wasn't the case on Saturday, although it wasn't a performance to get too excited about either.