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Player Ratings: Atletico Madrid 4-3 Barcelona
A stunning encounter at the Vicente Calderon saw Atletico de Madrid record an incredible win thanks to two goals each from Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan. Goal.com watched the game and handed a mark out of ten to each player.
02-Mar-2009 1:41:16 AM
ATLETICO DE MADRID
Leo Franco 7.5 - Made some good saves and kept Barcelona out at crucial times as the defence in front of him once again showed that it needs improvment.
Heitinga 6 - A slightly petulant display, but he did look better than those in the middle even if his presence did not make the back four look any better.
Pablo 4 - Another uneasy display from a player that cannot continue to be picked if he looks capable of undoing all the forwards' good work.
Ujfalusi 5.5 - Certainly a strong presence at the back, but the ease with which Barcelona made it through to register several chances on goal meant he also must improve.
Antonio Lopez 6 - None of the goals came down his side, but there is still something unnerving when he starts playing with the ball the instead of clearing it away.
Assunçao 7 - A tireless display saw him have to work extremely hard to close down Barcelona's midfield and stop them from being able to play the ball around.
Raul García 6.5 - Was capable of putting the boot in and speaking to the ref more than he was able to always find the right pass, but he fulfilled his role.
Maxi 6 - His work rate cannot be called into question, but his overall involvement was not enough and he was replaced in the second half by Pongolle.
Simao 6.5 - Caused the Barcelona defence constant problems with his running and may be disappointed not to have scored himself.
Aguero 7.5 - Scored twice and showed exactly why he is so highly rated and wanted by major clubs, but only after going missing for long periods of the first-half.
Forlan 8 - A stunning goal and an exemplary performance from the Uruguayan striker was a key reason why Atletico produced their best performance of the season.
Subs
Pongolle 6 - Lifted his side and made Atletico more attacking when he came on, which is all that Resino would have wanted.
Maniche 5.5 - Also added more forward runs for the hosts even though he was unable to have a huge effect on proceedings.
Banega 5 - Came on with minimal time remaining, but slotted in seamlessly and did not make any mistakes.
BARCELONA
Valdes 5.5 - Made no mistakes today and still let in four goals as the days when he set unbeaten records appear to be a distant memory.
Alves 5.5 - Jeered throughout after his ankle injury in the first-half and the Brazilian was unable to provide the crosses required for the forwards.
Marquez 5 - Brushed off the ball too easily and was lucky not to have conceded a penalty which would have completed a troubled performance.
Puyol 6 - Was at fault for the winner, but Barca could have conceded more before that had he not been on hand to prevent the hosts going forward.
Sylvinho 5.5 - Caught in possession too often and his lack of match practice was evident as he was not always quite up with the pace of the game.
Xavi 6 - Produced some very good passes, including one for Gudjohnsen, but was unable to really put his foot on the ball and control things.
Toure 6.5 - A strong performance, but he could nothing about those behind him who appear to had lost the plot after conceding so few earlier in the season.
Gudjohnsen 5.5 - Did provide one great pass for Eto'o, but missed a golden chance and did not push the play forward enough when he had the chances.
Messi 7.5 - Opened up the Atletico rearguard on several occasions and scored a sensational goal before being unable to repeat the feats in the second period.
Eto'o 5.5 - Caused Atletico problems at times and had chances to score, but should have done more when presented with the openings that he had.
Henry 8 - Scored a fine brace and will have been disappointed with the defence as they spoilt what was a great performance from the French international.
Subs
Caceres 5.5 - Barcelona made just one change as Sylvinho made way for him and he was able to not make the same mistakes that the Brazilian had made.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
Leo Franco 7.5 - Made some good saves and kept Barcelona out at crucial times as the defence in front of him once again showed that it needs improvment.
Heitinga 6 - A slightly petulant display, but he did look better than those in the middle even if his presence did not make the back four look any better.
Pablo 4 - Another uneasy display from a player that cannot continue to be picked if he looks capable of undoing all the forwards' good work.
Ujfalusi 5.5 - Certainly a strong presence at the back, but the ease with which Barcelona made it through to register several chances on goal meant he also must improve.
Antonio Lopez 6 - None of the goals came down his side, but there is still something unnerving when he starts playing with the ball the instead of clearing it away.
Assunçao 7 - A tireless display saw him have to work extremely hard to close down Barcelona's midfield and stop them from being able to play the ball around.
Raul García 6.5 - Was capable of putting the boot in and speaking to the ref more than he was able to always find the right pass, but he fulfilled his role.
Maxi 6 - His work rate cannot be called into question, but his overall involvement was not enough and he was replaced in the second half by Pongolle.
Simao 6.5 - Caused the Barcelona defence constant problems with his running and may be disappointed not to have scored himself.
Aguero 7.5 - Scored twice and showed exactly why he is so highly rated and wanted by major clubs, but only after going missing for long periods of the first-half.
Forlan 8 - A stunning goal and an exemplary performance from the Uruguayan striker was a key reason why Atletico produced their best performance of the season.
Subs
Pongolle 6 - Lifted his side and made Atletico more attacking when he came on, which is all that Resino would have wanted.
Maniche 5.5 - Also added more forward runs for the hosts even though he was unable to have a huge effect on proceedings.
Banega 5 - Came on with minimal time remaining, but slotted in seamlessly and did not make any mistakes.
BARCELONA
Valdes 5.5 - Made no mistakes today and still let in four goals as the days when he set unbeaten records appear to be a distant memory.
Alves 5.5 - Jeered throughout after his ankle injury in the first-half and the Brazilian was unable to provide the crosses required for the forwards.
Marquez 5 - Brushed off the ball too easily and was lucky not to have conceded a penalty which would have completed a troubled performance.
Puyol 6 - Was at fault for the winner, but Barca could have conceded more before that had he not been on hand to prevent the hosts going forward.
Sylvinho 5.5 - Caught in possession too often and his lack of match practice was evident as he was not always quite up with the pace of the game.
Xavi 6 - Produced some very good passes, including one for Gudjohnsen, but was unable to really put his foot on the ball and control things.
Toure 6.5 - A strong performance, but he could nothing about those behind him who appear to had lost the plot after conceding so few earlier in the season.
Gudjohnsen 5.5 - Did provide one great pass for Eto'o, but missed a golden chance and did not push the play forward enough when he had the chances.
Messi 7.5 - Opened up the Atletico rearguard on several occasions and scored a sensational goal before being unable to repeat the feats in the second period.
Eto'o 5.5 - Caused Atletico problems at times and had chances to score, but should have done more when presented with the openings that he had.
Henry 8 - Scored a fine brace and will have been disappointed with the defence as they spoilt what was a great performance from the French international.
Subs
Caceres 5.5 - Barcelona made just one change as Sylvinho made way for him and he was able to not make the same mistakes that the Brazilian had made.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com
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