|
|
January 29, 2012 2:30 AM IST
Camp El Madrigal — Villarreal
Referee: José Antonio Teixeira Vitienes
Attendance: 20000
Player Ratings: Villarreal 0-0 Barcelona
Diego Lopez was the hero for Jose Molina's side as he pulled off some marvellous saves to help secure his side a draw against the European champions at El Madrigal
By Charlie Scott
The Villarreal keeper was in supreme form to keep Barcelona at bay this evening, producing some wonderful saves from Messi to keep the scores level and secure his side a valuable point.
Put in a fine defensive performance for his side, and was on hand to make some timely interceptions and some last-ditch tackles to stop Cesc, Xavi and Messi.
Oriol was instrumental in his side's clean sheet this evening, putting in some great challenges on the edge of his own area and also managing to support his side in attack.
Despite receiving a yellow card, Musacchio was composed for the majority of the game, and helped marshal his side's defence as Barca threw men forward late on.
Angel, like Oriol, did well to get forward when given the chance, but he spent most of the game in his own half. One tackle on Messi in the first half was of a particular importance as the Argentine man looked to wriggle his way into the area.
Cani performed well for Villarreal, linking play brilliantly with Senna and Valero, while also getting forward well and managing to get a couple of shots off on goal that forced saves from Valdes.
Alongside Valero, Senna was superb, dictating passages of play with his intelligent passing and timely tackling. Deservedly given a standing ovation when removed by Molina late on.
A constant thorn in Barcelona's side, Valero drew a number of fouls from the opposition as he held the ball well under pressure and looked to bring his team-mates into play. Delivered some tantalising set-pieces into the Barcelona area that the defence did well to deal with.
Another player who got about his job quietly and effectively. Bruno may not grab the headlines with his performance but his manager and team-mates will be delighted with his play, particularly a marvellous challenge in the area on Messi in the second half.
Tireless running upfront from the striker, yet he was responsible for wasting one of Villarreal's best chances when he shot wildly over in the first half.
Provided some very important pressing on the Barcelona back-line, particularly when Puyol was in possession. Was tidy in possession and linked the midfield and attack well.
Broke up play well in the last few minutes and won a free-kick that wasted some precious seconds for his side late on.
No time to have an influence on the game after being introduced late on.
Little time to exert any influence on the game after being brought on as a second half substitute.
Had little to do as Barcelona spent much of the game on the front foot. Never lost his concentration.
Playing so far up the pitch he was sometimes his side's furthest player forward, and came close to scoring on a number of occasions.
The imposing centre-back played well for his side before being removed in the second half after picking up an injury that will worry Guardiola.
Put under an awful lot of pressure by Ruben and Joselu, Puyol managed to come out without making any errors, and was even involved up the other end as his side went in search of a winner.
A surprise inclusion by Guardiola, Adriano was impressive in an advanced role this evening, causing problems for Angel and Oriol with his direct running.
The French international was his side's outstanding performer this evening, putting in some hugely important challenges and interceptions in the first half. One block from Ruben's goalbound volley came just as Villarreal were having the better of the first half. Superb performance.
Relatively quiet this evening, but almost settled the match when his deflected shot struck the crossbar. Blazed one shot high and wide late on that will have infuriated his manager.
Another player that struggled this evening. Often so influential Xavi did little of note in this game and will have been unsurprised to be withdrawn in the second half.
Read the game well, as he always does. Mascherano made some decent interceptions to set up some attacking moves late on that the players ahead of him failed to convert.
Fortunate not to concede a penalty for a heavy challenge on Valero in the first half. This was not one of his better games.
Will have been disappointed not to convert any one of a host of chances that came his way in the game, although a number of his efforts were kept out by some brilliant saves from Lopez in the Villarreal goal. Lobbed just wide in the first half, and lacked his usual fluency.
No time to have any impact on the game after being brought on late on.
Full of running, but with no end product.
A rare bright spark in a disappointing team performance, Tello provided some direct running and urgency to Barca's play after being brought on in the second half.
| Tournament | |
| Position | |
| Ranking |
| Rank/Player | Position | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Miguel Moyà | Goalkeeper | Getafe | 3.63 |
| 2. Lionel Messi | Striker | Barcelona | 3.61 |
| 3. Cristiano Ronaldo | Striker | Real Madrid | 3.53 |
| 4. Ballesteros | Defender | Levante | 3.38 |
| 5. Arouna Kone | Striker | Levante | 3.38 |
| 6. Alexis Sánchez | Striker | Barcelona | 3.35 |
| 7. Andrés Iniesta Luján | Midfielder | Barcelona | 3.33 |
| 8. Raúl García | Midfielder | Osasuna | 3.33 |
| 9. Rubén Castro | Striker | Betis | 3.30 |
| 10. Lacen | Midfielder | Getafe | 3.25 |
| 11. Miku | Striker | Getafe | 3.20 |
| 12. Cesc Fàbregas | Midfielder | Barcelona | 3.19 |
| 13. Karim Benzema | Striker | Real Madrid | 3.19 |
| 14. Xavi | Midfielder | Barcelona | 3.18 |
| 15. Gustavo Daniel Cabral | Defender | Levante | 3.17 |
| 16. Jefferson Antonio Montero | Midfielder | Betis | 3.17 |
| 17. Barkero | Midfielder | Levante | 3.17 |
| 18. C. Bravo | Goalkeeper | Real Sociedad | 3.17 |
| 19. Adrián | Striker | Atletico de Madrid | 3.17 |
| 20. Juan García García | Defender | Levante | 3.17 |
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |

