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Played
April 21, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
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 La Liga title

By Martin Macdonald

  • Víctor Valdés
    110
    327
    2.00

    Víctor Valdés

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

  • Daniel Alves
    106
    295
    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
    112
    296
    3.00

    Carles Puyol

    Failed to successfully clear the ball for the opening goal when he opted to try and shield the ball 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
    83
    268
    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
    123
    263
    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 fair much better in the second period as he found himself constantly outnumbered. Looked unhappy when he was substituted. Was unlucky with a shot he lashed across goal that went wide.

  • Andrés Iniesta Luján
    112
    259
    2.50

    Andrés Iniesta Luján

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

  • Thiago Alcántara
    88
    265
    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
    73
    277
    3.00

    Javier Mascherano

    : Backed off the Real Madrid attackers too much and allowed them 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
    77
    292
    2.50

    Busquets

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

  • Lionel Messi
    326
    600
    2.50

    Lionel Messi Flop of the Match

    Delightfully set up Xavi with a fantastic chance in the first half that was squandered by his team-mate, in a half where he struggled affect the game greatly. However, not his best match in which he failed to hurt Real Madrid.

  • Tello
    130
    380
    2.00

    Tello

    Attempted to use trickery to get the better of Arbeloa down the left but the Madrid man was having none of it and he ended up losing 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
    90
    247
    2.50

    Cesc Fàbregas

    Was largely anonymous after coming on in the second half.

  • Alexis Sánchez
    181
    218
    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
    512
    51
    3.50

    Iker Casillas

    Showed a clean pair of heels to dash from goal to deny an on-rushing Dani Alves in the first half when the Brazilian was through on goal. Should have batted away Tello’s shot which was eventually tucked away by Alexis Sanchez.

  • Pepe
    478
    57
    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
    613
    44
    3.50

    Sergio Ramos

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

  • Fabio Coentrao
    461
    71
    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 shift at left-back. Did not offer much in attacking areas but it was not really what was asked of him tonight.

  • Arbeloa
    453
    58
    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
    531
    40
    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 good 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
    760
    44
    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
    455
    42
    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
    343
    168
    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
    1111
    147
    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. A relatively quiet match by his standards but lit up the Camp Nou with an excellent goal with twenty minutes to go. A vital goal for Real Madrid.

  • Karim Benzema
    404
    63
    3.00

    Karim Benzema

    The French forward looked industrial going forward but didn't have too many chances to write home about. Got himself involved in the action just lacked the finished product

Substitutions

  • Esteban Granero
    380
    49
    3.00

    Esteban Granero

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

  • Callejón
    335
    52
    0.00

    Callejón

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

  • Gonzalo Higuaín
    342
    56
    0.00

    Gonzalo Higuaín

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

Results
 
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 de Madrid
28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia
21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
20 3