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Player Ratings: Barcelona 2-0 Recreativo
Barcelona got the better of their humble opponents in an open game at Camp Nou. Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad rates the players...
12-Apr-2009 3:12:22 AM
Barcelona
Victor Valdes (5): Made a good save early on but had some shaky moments, including one when he came for the ball and failed - thankfully for him, the referee didn't deem it fit to award a penalty.
Dani Alves (7.5): Left holes at the back in the first half, but his perennial threat from crosses, particularly in the second period, was to behold and admire.
Rafael Marquez (6): Often pushed up and distributed possession well in the absence of Xavi, but was questionable from set plays.
Martin Caceres (5): Certainly looked a little lost on more than one occasion, both in open play and from set pieces.
Sylvinho (7): Had a good enough night, not overly troubled by the tricky Sisi and getting forward to decent, supporting effect.
Sergio Busquets (5): Did not do a good enough job of stamping his authority on the game and closing down the opponents, who enjoyed a surprising amount of space and time to work their attacking moves, particularly in the first half.
Eidur Gudjohnsen (4.5): Gudjohnsen, badpassen. He couldn't function as a playmaker, had no positive impact offensively and was unable to use his physical presence to in any way halt Recreativo, either.
Andres Iniesta (9): Quite possibly his performance of the season. There was no Xavi in midfield, so Iniesta assumed his role and still managed to maintain a wide threat throughout the game. He had the energy of two man, his trickery was uncontainable. In the right place to score the first and created the second, but that only tells half the story of an incredible game for the pale-faced playmaker. Nobody else came close.
Lionel Messi (5): Was kept out of the game - without foul play, it's worth noting - and was mostly reduced to spraying cross-field passes. It was at least a tidy showing, still, up until he took a very poor penalty that was saved by Riesgo.
Bojan Krkic (7): Showed great feet and was full of ideas but certainly lacked a killer touch in front of goal.
Thierry Henry (7.5): Has certainly rediscovered an extra half a yard of pace that has made him a much more valuable attacking asset to the Blaugrana than he had been in months gone by. Did well to set up the first goal and could have had one for himself but for a close offside call.
Substitutes
Xavi (6): Was his usual serene self, but had no notable impact on the game.
Seydou Keita (6): Had a touch more gusto to his game than Gudjohnsen which at least proved a greater deterrent for Recre whenever they attempted to make moves in midfield.
Aliaksandr Hleb (n/a).
Recreativo de Huelva
Asier Riesgo (8): Made some good saves, including that of Messi's penalty, and could do little to stop either goal.
Alain Nef (4): Was caught off-guard early on for the opening goal and almost falling over for the second. Henry and Iniesta were too much for him.
Nasief Morris (5.5): Was good in the air and kept several crosses at bay and was slightly unfortunate to score the own goal, but could have been better balanced to get in a proper clearance.
Andres Lamas (5): Was another caught out for the opening goal and had a headed chance from close range that could have put his side level, but he failed where he really should have succeeded.
Casado (7): Had a handful of fantastic set piece deliveries and did an exemplery job against Messi. Was very unfortunate to concede a penalty for handball.
Barber (5): This Barber really couldn't make the cut at all this evening. The utility man made no discernable impact on a very expansive and fast-paced game at Camp Nou.
Javi Fuego (5): Was completely overrun in his attempts to protect the Recre defence against Barcelona attacks.
Sebastian Nayar (6.5): Made some neat passes, but didn't have that extra something to pierce the Barca back line.
Sisi (5): The tricky winger was underwhelming, looking bereft of ideas and never given quite as much space as he wanted to weave his magic.
Marco Ruben (6.5): Couldn't be faulted for his work rate up front but was distinctly lacking in killer instinct that he has shown against Barca in the past.
Javier Camunas (6.5): Another who certainly had his moments of promise and, like Sisi, is renowned for his skill and Barca were wary of him. Couldn't perfect his passes when it mattered.
Substitutes
Akale (6.5): Made good runs and played some promising passes. Staked a good claim for a starting place.
Ersen Martin (6): The big man had the ball in the back of the net but was adjudged to have been slightly offside. He showed determination but was given scarce opportunity to threaten Victor Valdes in Barcelona's goal.
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com
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Victor Valdes (5): Made a good save early on but had some shaky moments, including one when he came for the ball and failed - thankfully for him, the referee didn't deem it fit to award a penalty.
Dani Alves (7.5): Left holes at the back in the first half, but his perennial threat from crosses, particularly in the second period, was to behold and admire.
Rafael Marquez (6): Often pushed up and distributed possession well in the absence of Xavi, but was questionable from set plays.
Martin Caceres (5): Certainly looked a little lost on more than one occasion, both in open play and from set pieces.
Sylvinho (7): Had a good enough night, not overly troubled by the tricky Sisi and getting forward to decent, supporting effect.
Sergio Busquets (5): Did not do a good enough job of stamping his authority on the game and closing down the opponents, who enjoyed a surprising amount of space and time to work their attacking moves, particularly in the first half.
Eidur Gudjohnsen (4.5): Gudjohnsen, badpassen. He couldn't function as a playmaker, had no positive impact offensively and was unable to use his physical presence to in any way halt Recreativo, either.
Andres Iniesta (9): Quite possibly his performance of the season. There was no Xavi in midfield, so Iniesta assumed his role and still managed to maintain a wide threat throughout the game. He had the energy of two man, his trickery was uncontainable. In the right place to score the first and created the second, but that only tells half the story of an incredible game for the pale-faced playmaker. Nobody else came close.
Lionel Messi (5): Was kept out of the game - without foul play, it's worth noting - and was mostly reduced to spraying cross-field passes. It was at least a tidy showing, still, up until he took a very poor penalty that was saved by Riesgo.
Bojan Krkic (7): Showed great feet and was full of ideas but certainly lacked a killer touch in front of goal.
Thierry Henry (7.5): Has certainly rediscovered an extra half a yard of pace that has made him a much more valuable attacking asset to the Blaugrana than he had been in months gone by. Did well to set up the first goal and could have had one for himself but for a close offside call.
Substitutes
Xavi (6): Was his usual serene self, but had no notable impact on the game.
Seydou Keita (6): Had a touch more gusto to his game than Gudjohnsen which at least proved a greater deterrent for Recre whenever they attempted to make moves in midfield.
Aliaksandr Hleb (n/a).
Recreativo de Huelva
Asier Riesgo (8): Made some good saves, including that of Messi's penalty, and could do little to stop either goal.
Alain Nef (4): Was caught off-guard early on for the opening goal and almost falling over for the second. Henry and Iniesta were too much for him.
Nasief Morris (5.5): Was good in the air and kept several crosses at bay and was slightly unfortunate to score the own goal, but could have been better balanced to get in a proper clearance.
Andres Lamas (5): Was another caught out for the opening goal and had a headed chance from close range that could have put his side level, but he failed where he really should have succeeded.
Casado (7): Had a handful of fantastic set piece deliveries and did an exemplery job against Messi. Was very unfortunate to concede a penalty for handball.
Barber (5): This Barber really couldn't make the cut at all this evening. The utility man made no discernable impact on a very expansive and fast-paced game at Camp Nou.
Javi Fuego (5): Was completely overrun in his attempts to protect the Recre defence against Barcelona attacks.
Sebastian Nayar (6.5): Made some neat passes, but didn't have that extra something to pierce the Barca back line.
Sisi (5): The tricky winger was underwhelming, looking bereft of ideas and never given quite as much space as he wanted to weave his magic.
Marco Ruben (6.5): Couldn't be faulted for his work rate up front but was distinctly lacking in killer instinct that he has shown against Barca in the past.
Javier Camunas (6.5): Another who certainly had his moments of promise and, like Sisi, is renowned for his skill and Barca were wary of him. Couldn't perfect his passes when it mattered.
Substitutes
Akale (6.5): Made good runs and played some promising passes. Staked a good claim for a starting place.
Ersen Martin (6): The big man had the ball in the back of the net but was adjudged to have been slightly offside. He showed determination but was given scarce opportunity to threaten Victor Valdes in Barcelona's goal.
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com
For all the latest Goal.com news at your fingertips, point your mobile phone browser tom.goal.com, Goal.com's very own mobile news service!
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