Goal.com

 
Played
April 24, 2012 7:45 p.m. IST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee:‬ C. Çakιr‎
Attendance:‬ 95845‎
 
   
 
 

Champions League Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea (Agg 2-3)

Goal.com rates the players in Tuesday night's engrossing Champions League semi-final second leg at Camp Nou

By Ben Hayward

  • Víctor Valdés
    21
    127
    2.50

    Víctor Valdés

    Possibly could have done better with Ramires' goal, which he got a hand to but couldn't stop from sailing over his head and into the net. Saved a long-range effort in the second half.

  • Piqué
    35
    80
    2.50

    Piqué

    Finally restored to the Barca line-up and looked assured in his time on the pitch, bringing the ball out of the defence with aplomb. Was unlucky as he clashed with Valdes and went off with concussion.

  • Carles Puyol
    33
    80
    3.00

    Carles Puyol

    Brave and committed at the back as he always is but had little to do as Chelsea attacked rarely. Tried desperately to get his head on several crosses at the other end.

  • Cesc Fàbregas
    23
    99
    2.50

    Cesc Fàbregas

    Still below his best but produced some good link-up play around the box. Final ball wasn't as good as it could have been and he rarely looked a goal threat but won a penalty when he was fouled by Drogba.

  • Xavi
    21
    94
    3.00

    Xavi

    Another Barca player who has looked short of his finest form of late, but the Spain star pulled the strings in midfield as his team saw most of the ball. Wasn't really decisive, though.

  • Andrés Iniesta Luján
    40
    69
    3.00

    Andrés Iniesta Luján

    It was his goal that broke Chelsea hearts the last time these two teams met in a Champions League semi-final tie and he scored a fine second goal to put Barca 2-0 up here. Started on the left but found it difficult to create spaces against an ultra-defensive Chelsea.

  • Javier Mascherano
    32
    77
    3.00

    Javier Mascherano

    Having made mistakes in the last two games he looked comfortable in Barca's three-man back line. Tried his luck with a long-range effort at the other end but failed to hit the target. Saw a late drive well saved by Cech.

  • Busquets
    31
    79
    3.00

    Busquets

    Barcelona didn't really need a defensive midfielder in this match because Chelsea barely attacked, but the Catalan did his job well and was in the right place at the right time to put his side ahead following Cuenca's cutback.

  • Alexis Sánchez
    25
    93
    2.50

    Alexis Sánchez

    Missed two glorious opportunities in the first match but was less of a protagonist in tonight's game as his runs failed to hurt Chelsea. Will be most remembered for being kneed by John Terry - an action which led to the red card for the Chelsea captain.

  • Lionel Messi
    98
    214
    2.50

    Lionel Messi

    Has looked off-colour of late and this match was no different. He had his moments as he attempted to put through his team-mates with some neat through balls, but he missed the penalty which would have given Barca a place in the final. So often a hero, tonight the villain.

  • Cuenca
    28
    77
    3.00

    Cuenca

    Provided natural width but his trickery on the flank rarely reaped rewards. It was his clever pass which set up Busquets for the opener but he should have beaten Cech with a great chance in the second half.

Substitutions

  • Daniel Alves
    21
    78
    2.50

    Daniel Alves

    Surprisingly left out of the side as Guardiola went for three at the back and didn't look his usual self when he replaced Pique. Unable to hurt Chelsea and his crossing was poor.

  • Seydou Keita
    21
    64
    2.50

    Seydou Keita

    Came on as a second-half sub but had minimal impact.

  • Tello
    14
    79
    2.50

    Tello

    Left out today after a poor showing in the Clasico and didn't do much when he came on in this match. Wasted one great position late in the game.

  • Petr Cech
    311
    11
    3.50

    Petr Cech Top of the Match

    Was the hero for his side as he made s string of superb saves, notably from Cuenca, Mascherano and Messi. Could do nothing about the goals and will have been happy to see the penalty hit the bar.

  • Branislav Ivanovic
    154
    9
    3.50

    Branislav Ivanovic

    Heroic at the back with a disciplined display, which was occasionally cynical. Restricted the influence of Alexis and later Tello but both goals came from his channel.

  • Ashley Cole
    159
    8
    3.50

    Ashley Cole

    A very accomplished performance from the full-back, who kept Cuenca at bay and gave no joy to his rivals down his side of the pitch. Fantastic defending.

  • Gary Cahill
    105
    17
    2.50

    Gary Cahill

    Took a bad knock early in the game and had to be withdrawn, but did well in his time on the pitch.

  • John Terry
    77
    163
    1.50

    John Terry Flop of the Match

    Did well enough with a typically tenacious showing but disgraced himself as he kneed Alexis in the back and was deservedly sent off. Looked certain to cost his side any chance of advancing. Got away with it, but will miss the final.

  • Ramires
    206
    7
    3.50

    Ramires

    It was his goal out of the blue which gave Chelsea hope when Barca were completely and utterly on top. Great chipped effort but Valdes could and maybe should have done better. Worked hard and put in a shift defensively.

  • Frank  Lampard
    126
    27
    3.00

    Frank Lampard

    Never stopped working and was so important to his side, using all of his experience and getting into a few spats along the way. Used the ball well when he had it, but his was mostly a defensive role. Inevitably got himself booked.

  • John Obi Mikel
    92
    17
    3.00

    John Obi Mikel

    Put in some decent blocks but was wasteful in possession and could have been sent off for a very poor challenge on Alexis.

  • Raúl Meireles
    100
    12
    3.00

    Raúl Meireles

    Put in a lot of very good defensive work and denied Barca's middle men time on the ball. Offered a shield to his defence but didn't see much of the ball going forward. Booked late on.

  • Juan Mata
    83
    35
    2.50

    Juan Mata

    Again he was anonymous. Very poor in London and unimpressive here too. Failed to get into the game, although his team's tactics didn't help. Replaced late on.

  • Didier Drogba
    141
    31
    3.00

    Didier Drogba

    Very lucky to get away with it after bringing down Cesc and conceding a penalty. Saw very little of the ball up front, but his first-leg goal proved vital. Replaced by Torres late on.

Substitutions

  • José Bosingwa
    139
    6
    3.50

    José Bosingwa

    Came on for the injured Cahill and produced a very solid performance within Chelsea's impressive rearguard.

  • Fernando Torres
    292
    12
    3.50

    Fernando Torres

    Much maligned this season but he came on and broke away to score a late leveller which broke Barca hearts and confirmed Chelsea's place in the final.

  • Salomon Kalou
    83
    21
    2.50

    Salomon Kalou

    Came on for Mata with little over half an hour left but made little impact.

Results
 
Match News
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
12 0
Robert  Lewandowski Robert Lewandowski
Striker
Dortmund
10 1
Thomas Müller Thomas Müller
Striker
Bayern
8 1
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
8 0
Burak Yılmaz Burak Yılmaz
Striker
Galatasaray
8 0