Thursday, 13 March 2014

Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Manchester City (4-1 Agg)

Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-1 Manchester City (4-1 Agg)
The Catalans squeezed past Manuel Pellegrini's men at Camp Nou, with Lionel Messi showing some of his best form by adding a neat goal to an otherwise impressive performance
  • Messi
    4
    6

    Messi Top of the Match

    A bright and incisive performance from the Argentine forward, who converted with a delightful clip to open the scoring. Should have had a couple of penalties too.
  • Neymar
    5
    5

    Neymar

    Had one effort cleared off the line by Fernandinho, but was guilty of giving away possession a few times needlessly.
  • 0
    4

    Víctor Valdés

    The departing Barcelona keeper made two excellent saves, the highlight came when palming a Dzeko header out from underneath his own crossbar in the second half to keep City at bay.
  • Piqué
    2
    4

    Piqué

    The central defender made several important last-ditch challenges, the best of which being a sliding interceptions to deny Fernandinho from close range. Lucky not to have conceded a penalty, though.
  • Jordi Alba
    3
    2

    Jordi Alba

    The left-back was a threat throughout, bombing forward to provide an outlet on the flank, making plenty of intelligent runs to get in behind Zabaleta.
  • Daniel Alves
    1
    1

    Daniel Alves

    Smashed home the winning goal in stoppage time to add to an energetic performance. Got forward whenever possible.
  • Cesc Fàbregas
    2
    3

    Cesc Fàbregas

    Played a supporting role, having a half chance saved well by Hart, but was generally a tidy feeder for the likes of Messi and Neymar.
  • Xavi
    2
    5

    Xavi

    Kept the ball moving, possessing the qualities required to unlock City's defence as they sat on the edge of their penalty area.
  • Andrés Iniesta Luján
    1
    1

    Andrés Iniesta Luján

    Had an excellent game, with his driving runs causing plenty of problems for a well-organised City defence. Provided the assist for Alves.
  • Javier Mascherano
    3
    2

    Javier Mascherano

    Didn't struggle in defence, despite the height difference against Dzeko, and kept firm tabs on Aguero in the first half. A solid outing.
  • Busquets
    4
    4

    Busquets

    Mopped up behind Iniesta and Xavi, and received warm applause for his defensive work, which can sometimes go unsung.



    • Daniel Alves
      1
      1

      Daniel Alves

      Smashed home the winning goal in stoppage time to add to an energetic performance. Got forward whenever possible.
      • Joe Hart
        2
        0

        Joe Hart

        Made a number of smart stops to deny Xavi and Fabregas, and was helpless for both of Barcelona's goals. An encouraging performance.
      • Vincent Kompany
        0
        4

        Vincent Kompany

        A colossal performance from the captain, who threw himself into every tackle and capped his committed outing with a late goal, turning home a Dzeko header.
      • Pablo Zabaleta
        2
        5

        Pablo Zabaleta

        Tracked Jordi Alba's runs in behind in the first half, but lost his head in the second half, earning himself a red card for dissent.
      • Joleon Lescott
        3
        4

        Joleon Lescott Flop of the Match

        A clumsy performance, as the central defender could easily have conceded two penalties, and was at fault for Messi's opener, as the England international couldn't get the ball out of his own feet.
      • Aleksandar Kolarov
        1
        1

        Aleksandar Kolarov

        Provided several great balls from the left-hand side, acting as City's main threat going forward, and did well to track a very pacey Neymar.
      • James Milner
        3
        0

        James Milner

        Worked extremely hard, pressing up and down the field constantly, and had a couple of snapshots he was unable to convert.
      • Samir Nasri
        1
        2

        Samir Nasri

        Had a couple of chances around the edge of the penalty area, forcing Valdes into the odd save. Intelligent in his passing.
      • David Silva
        0
        0

        David Silva

        A somewhat quiet outing from the former Valencia man, who showed his quality in odd flashes, such as a classy backheel to Nasri in the first half.
      • Fernandinho
        0
        1

        Fernandinho

        A tenacious and tireless performance from the Brazilian, who was everywhere for his side. Cleared a chance off the line, as well as popping up in the opposition penalty area, too.
      • Yaya Touré
        1
        2

        Yaya Touré

        Strong and powerful, his physical frame wasn't designed for a game where the referee wasn't allowing physicality, but the former Barcelona man held his own, driving forward and spreading the play well.
      • Sergio Agüero
        3
        1

        Sergio Agüero

        A quiet first half from the Argentine, who was carrying a hamstring injury. Struggled to free himself from Pique and Mascherano's attentions. Subbed at half-time.

      Substitutions

      • Negredo
        0
        1

        Negredo

        Had little time to have any impact, and was jeered from the thousands inside Camp Nou.
      • Edin Dzeko
        1
        3

        Edin Dzeko

        The Bosnia international made a big impact on proceedings, forcing Valdes into several saves and winning plenty of headers. Deserved a penalty after being clearly brought down by Pique.
      • Joe Hart
        2
        0

        Joe Hart

        Made a number of smart stops to deny Xavi and Fabregas, and was helpless for both of Barcelona's goals. An encouraging performance.
      • Vincent Kompany
        0
        4

        Vincent Kompany

        A colossal performance from the captain, who threw himself into every tackle and capped his committed outing with a late goal, turning home a Dzeko header.
      • Pablo Zabaleta
        2
        5

        Pablo Zabaleta

        Tracked Jordi Alba's runs in behind in the first half, but lost his head in the second half, earning himself a red card for dissent.

Played
March 12, 2014 7:45 PM GMT
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee:‬ S. Lannoy‎
Attendance:‬ 85957‎
67′ Messi
Vincent Kompany 89′ 
90+1′ Daniel Alves

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