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Played
April 18, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee:‬ F. Brych‎
Attendance:‬ 37000‎
 
45+2′ Didier Drogba
 
   
 
 

Champions League Player Ratings: Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona

Goal.com rates the players in tonight's Champions League semifinal first leg at Stamford Bridge

By Ben Hayward

  • Petr Cech
    531
    20
    4.00

    Petr Cech

    Got down low to save Iniesta's drive from an angle after 16 minutes but was lucky to see Cesc completely mishit the rebound. Also beaten by Cech but was saved by the crossbar. Made routine stops from Fabregas and Messi after that. Made a decent parry to deny Adriano early in the second period.

  • Branislav Ivanovic
    352
    32
    3.00

    Branislav Ivanovic

    His impressive long throw-in caused problems early on and almost set up Terry for a great chance. Was given problems down his side of the pitch by Iniesta and Adriano, but looked comfortable for the most part in a disciplined defensive display.

  • Ashley Cole
    357
    35
    4.00

    Ashley Cole

    Brilliantly robbed Cesc early on, but mis-controlled a ball on the touchline later on. Showed some great skill. Cleared off the line from to deny Cesc after the Barca midfielder had chipped Cesc. Did enough to put off Alexis when the Chilean should have scored in the second half.

  • Gary Cahill
    354
    35
    3.50

    Gary Cahill

    Made two excellent blocks from Messi shots early in the second half and threw himself at a corner at the other end. Also made a vital challenge to deny Alexis as well. Was part of a well-drilled Chelsea rearguard.

  • John Terry
    353
    37
    3.50

    John Terry

    Almost got on the end of Ivanovic's long throw early on as but was blocked by Alves in the area. Led a disciplined defensive line for Chelsea and made a series of vital blocks for the Blues.

  • Ramires
    331
    32
    4.00

    Ramires

    Caught offside on the flank as he tried to link up with Drogba early on but looked lively and set up the Cote d'Ivoire striker for the goal with an intelligent ball across the Barca area in added time at the end of the first half. Worked tirelessly and showed great stamina.

  • Frank  Lampard
    287
    52
    3.50

    Frank Lampard

    Hardly in the game for 45 minutes but worked hard and it was he who was the ball off Messi in midfield to free Ramires as the Brazilian in turn set up Drogba for the opener. Charged into the area in the second half but there was no foul.

  • John Obi Mikel
    299
    50
    3.00

    John Obi Mikel

    Blocked a long-range Messi effort after 16 minutes and put in his fair share of defensive work, tracking runners and providing a strong shield on the edge of the Blues box as Barca piled forward, time and time again.

  • Raúl Meireles
    222
    80
    3.00

    Raúl Meireles

    Tried his luck with a speculative volley from long range late in the half but saw his effort blocked. Gave the ball away too often but kept his discipline defensively in a solid showing from Chelsea's middle men.

  • Juan Mata
    201
    108
    2.50

    Juan Mata

    Sliced a long-range effort well off target after 18 minutes but was rarely in the game after that as he dropped deep but didn't really see much of the ball. Replaced in the second half.

  • Didier Drogba
    616
    104
    4.00

    Didier Drogba Top of the Match

    Looked to be in early on but Puyol's positioning saved the day. Dropped deep to win possession and worked tirelessly as he led the line with aplomb. Plenty of theatrics from the African too but he popped up when needed with the all-important goal.

Substitutions

  • Salomon Kalou
    154
    78
    2.50

    Salomon Kalou

    Came on for Mata with 16 minutes left and was almost put through by Drogba a little later.

  • Víctor Valdés
    83
    164
    2.50

    Víctor Valdés

    Little to do in almost the entire first half except for stopping a ball going out of play but was beaten - and could have done better - by Drogba's low shot on the stroke of halftime

  • Daniel Alves
    73
    168
    2.50

    Daniel Alves

    Did well to keep out Terry after Ivanovic's long throw early on and put in some good work both in defense and attack. Blasted wastefully over the bar in the second half and was wasteful with his crossing but was full of running down the flank.

  • Carles Puyol
    154
    129
    3.00

    Carles Puyol

    Impeccable positioning from the Barca captain as he warded off the danger as Drogba looked to be in early on, then did the same when Ramires threatened later in the half. Wasn't at fault for the Drogba strike and almost leveled with a header late on.

  • Adriano
    92
    145
    3.50

    Adriano

    Got forward well down the left but should have advanced into the area early on when set up by Messi instead of passing the ball back to a teammate. Had a good run and subsequent shot parried by Cech early in the second period. Did well defensively on the whole, too.

  • Cesc Fàbregas
    63
    219
    3.00

    Cesc Fàbregas

    Should have scored after 16 minutes when Cech's parry went straight to him eight yards but he made poor contact. Almost gave Barca the lead shortly before halftime as he chipped a shot over Cech, having been put through by Messi, but saw Ashley Cole clear off the line. Put Alexis through with a delightful chip in the second half but the Chilean inexplicably fired wide. Was replaced by Thiago late on.

  • Xavi
    87
    174
    3.50

    Xavi

    Overhit an early free kick and saw a long shot deflected wide later in the half. Curled a free kick over the bar in the second period and saw a long-range effort blocked after that. Didn't make the impact he can do and was replaced late in the game.

  • Andrés Iniesta Luján
    135
    142
    3.50

    Andrés Iniesta Luján

    The 2009 hero set up Alexis with a wonderful pass which led to the Chilean's lob onto the crossbar and almost gave Barca the lead with a low angled drive after 16 minutes which Cech parried. Could have had a penalty when he got past Cahill and looked to be pushed by the defender. Made less impact after the break.

  • Javier Mascherano
    80
    169
    2.50

    Javier Mascherano

    Could possibly have cut out Ramires' ball to Drogba for the goal but was largely untroubled apart from that. Didn't really bring the ball out of defense as Pique can do, however.

  • Busquets
    63
    186
    4.00

    Busquets

    Given a hard time by the Chelsea fans but suffered an early stamp from Drogba and got on with his job with some intelligent passing and neat link-up play. Helped set up a great chance late in the game but then blasted a horrible effort well over the bar.

  • Alexis Sánchez
    150
    249
    2.50

    Alexis Sánchez Flop of the Match

    Lobbed Cech early on but saw his effort rebound off the crossbar when he probably should have scored. Had an even better chance in the second half after he was put through by Cesc but failed to hit the target with only Cech to beat.

  • Lionel Messi
    289
    368
    3.50

    Lionel Messi

    Saw a long-range effort blocked by Mikel in the opening minutes. Almost put through Iniesta later on, then tested Cech with a header after 27 minutes. It was he who lost the ball to Lampard in first-half injury time as Chelsea broke and scored and he was unable to make up for it despite looking lively after the break.

Substitutions

  • Thiago Alcántara
    56
    126
    2.50

    Thiago Alcántara

    Came on for Cesc and could have made the difference but failed to get a touch after Puyol had headed a set piece towards goal late on.

  • Pedro
    72
    130
    3.00

    Pedro

    A late substitute and almost the hero as his low drive struck the post right at the death. A lively cameo from the Tenerife-born winger.

  • Cuenca
    54
    120
    0.00

    Cuenca

    Came on as a late replacement but made little impact.

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