Played
April 21, 2012 7:00 PM BST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee:‬ Alberto Undiano‎
Attendance:‬ 99252‎
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

Goal.com rates the players on show as Jose Mourinho's side take a big step towards the Liga title with victory at Camp Nou

By Martin Macdonald

  • Víctor Valdés
    151
    539
    2.00

    Víctor Valdés

    Terrific save in the opening minutes in which he tipped a Ronaldo header over the bar. Failed to keep hold of the ball for Khedira’s opener, however, and was far too indecisive for Ronaldo’s goal, where he neither came out to narrow the angle, or stayed on his line.

  • Daniel Alves
    120
    474
    2.50

    Daniel Alves

    Was employed in an advanced role and looked to run in behind the Madrid defence whenever he could. Did not get on the ball as much as Barca would have liked in the second half and drifted further and further back.

  • Carles Puyol
    141
    469
    3.00

    Carles Puyol

    Failed to successfully clear the ball for the opening goal when he opted to try and shield into Valdes’ hands. Made up for this with a few very good challenges in and around the area but his mistake gifted Madrid a vital goal in the first half.

  • Adriano
    111
    448
    2.50

    Adriano

    Had an extremely quiet match in which he seemed very afraid to go forward and join the attack. However, defended solidly against Di Maria and did not fall for any of his tricks. Just needed to act as an extra man in advanced areas.

  • Xavi
    147
    450
    2.00

    Xavi

    Looked frustrated in the first half as he struggled to find any incisive passes through the middle of the Madrid defence. Did not fare much better in the second period as he found himself constantly outnumbered. Looked unhappy when he was substituted.

  • Andrés Iniesta Luján
    157
    411
    2.50

    Andrés Iniesta Luján

    Attempted to make himself available whenever he could and always looked to play behind Messi in the hole,where he picked out a few nice passes. But drifted in and out of the match in the second half and did not pick out any meaningful passes.

  • Thiago Alcántara
    131
    439
    2.50

    Thiago Alcántara

    Was always a willing runner through the middle and looked to make late darts into the penalty area whenever he could, but his passing was not his usual best and he was unable to pick out incisive passes in the final third.

  • Javier Mascherano
    131
    417
    3.00

    Javier Mascherano

    Backed off the Real Madrid attackers and allowed too much room. However, had a relatively solid match when dealing with problems in the area and attempted to burst from defence to act as the catalyst for attacks whenever he could.

  • Busquets
    116
    466
    2.50

    Busquets

    Lacked the composure and calm nature that he usually shows in abundance. His attacking play was hampered as he dropped into centre-back for most of the match and passed the responsibility onto players in more advanced areas.

  • Lionel Messi
    419
    952
    2.50

    Lionel Messi Flop of the Match

    Delightfully set up Xavi for a fantastic chance in the first half that was squandered by his team-mate, in a half where he struggled affect the game greatly. Not his best match, one in which he failed to hurt Madrid in key areas.

  • Tello
    248
    696
    2.00

    Tello

    Attempted to use trickery to get the better of Arbeloa down the left but the Madrid man won the ball time and time again. Got the ball in advanced areas but continually wasted chances with poor crosses, passes, and shots.

Substitutions

  • Cesc Fàbregas
    127
    406
    2.50

    Cesc Fàbregas

    Was largely anonymous after coming on in the second half.

  • Alexis Sánchez
    249
    334
    3.00

    Alexis Sánchez

    Thought he had got Barca back into the match seconds after his introduction with scrappy goal but it proved to be in vain.

  • Iker Casillas
    852
    71
    3.50

    Iker Casillas

    Showed a clean pair of heels to dash from goal to deny an onrushing Dani Alves in the first half when the Brazilian was through on goal, and perhaps should have batted Tello’s shot further away, as the clearance was eventually tucked away by Alexis Sanchez.

  • Pepe
    888
    72
    3.50

    Pepe

    Whenever any central Barca players got the ball he was always very quick to dash from his position and put them under massive pressure. We saw glimpses of his villainous side but he ultimately defended well throughout the 90 minutes. not really what was asked of him tonight.

  • Sergio Ramos
    1406
    85
    3.50

    Sergio Ramos

    Outstanding performance from the Madrid man this evening. Allowed Lionel Messi zero time to manoeuvre and affect the match and marshalled him excellently. Was dominant aerially and epitomised the determination and grit of the away side.

  • Fabio Coentrao
    811
    118
    3.50

    Fabio Coentrao

    Failed to spot the run of Alves in behind him on a few occasions and allowed him a little too much space. Recovered from this and ended up putting in a great display. Did not offer much in attacking areas but it was not really what was asked of him tonight.

  • Arbeloa
    835
    66
    3.00

    Arbeloa

    Had a superbly solid match at right-back. Showed a veteran head to deal with the speedy Tello down the wing and left the Barca man barely any room to affect the match. Solid and dependable as ever.

  • Sami Khedira
    954
    54
    3.50

    Sami Khedira

    Got the ball rolling for Real Madrid with a scrappy goal in the first half in which he showed good determination and instinct in the box to get the better of Puyol. Broke up the play excellently and was always in the face of Barca.

  • Mesut Özil
    1322
    54
    3.50

    Mesut Özil

    Put himself about in the first half and always joined with his attacking team-mates in pressuring the Barca defenders. Picked out Ronaldo with a world-class pass in the second half which lead to Madrid’s second goal.

  • Xabi Alonso
    783
    75
    3.50

    Xabi Alonso

    As Khedira did the dirty work in midfield he pulled the strings for the visitors in central areas. However, did run the risk of getting sent off with a number of late challenges that broke up Barcelona counterattacks.

  • Ángel Di María
    579
    350
    3.00

    Ángel Di María

    Saw a fair amount of the of the ball throughout his time on the park but struggled terribly to retain possession or go on any meaningful runs down the right. Lost the ball time and time again and did not link up at all well with his team-mates.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo
    1849
    148
    3.50

    Cristiano Ronaldo Top of the Match

    Took the sting out of any ascendancy Barcelona may have had in the first half with driving runs down the left-hand side, and eventually stunned the Camp Nou with an excellent goal with 20 minutes to go, one that is monumental in the destination of the title.

  • Karim Benzema
    294
    32
    3.00

    Karim Benzema

    Was always available in the final third, and pressed the Barca players intensely, while linking up well with his team-mates. Did not create much of note but worked incredibly hard for the cause.

Substitutions

  • Esteban Granero
    651
    62
    3.00

    Esteban Granero

    Slotted in well in midfield after his introduction and kept the ball well.

  • Callejón
    538
    80
    0.00

    Callejón

    Second half substitute but did not offer much after coming on.

  • Gonzalo Higuaín
    568
    90
    0.00

    Gonzalo Higuaín

    Late substitution and missed a sitter which would have sealed the match

Results
 
Match News
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atlético Madrid
28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia
21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
20 3