Champions League Player Ratings: Sevilla 1-1 Stuttgart

SEVILLA

Javi Varas – 6.0: Left with very little to do for the majority of the match, and was left helpless when Kuzmanovic comprehensively beat him with a stunning strike.

Fernando Navarro – 6.5: The defender was the most tactically sound of the back line, and his no-nonsense approach was vital to keeping the opposition at bay in an end-to-end second half.

Sebastien Squillaci – 6.5: Used his pace to rescue his side on more than one occasion, but was equally as susceptible as his colleague in the second half as the allowed the Germans back into the match.

Julien Escude – 6.0: Was fortunate not to skew a clearance into his own net and struggled with the physical nature of Pogrebnyak, who made him work hard all evening.

Abdoulay Konko – 6.0: Usually the full-back is able to get forward but his ability to do so was limited due to Stuttgart's improved display in the second half.

Jesus Navas – 7.0: The diminutive winger is fast becoming one of the most feared wingers in Europe, and this season he has added goals to his game. His opening goal typified his pace and composure, although he faded in the second half.

Didier Zokora – 7.0: The former Tottenham player tried manfully to keep out Stuttgart in the closing stages as Stuttgart threatened, and he protected his back four as best he could despite being outnumbered.

Romaric – 6.0: The midfielder was largely anonymous this evening, allowing the flair players to play in the first half, and he was replaced early in the second half.

Diego Capel – 7.0: Capel can at times flatter to deceive, but in the opening stages he was rampant and was a constant thorn in the side of the Germans. He was surprisingly subbed after just an hour, and Sevilla never looked the same afterwards.

Arouna Kone – 5.0: The Ivorian started the match strongly but picked up a rib injury after half an hour and had to be replaced.

Luis Fabiano – 6.0: The Brazilian linked well in the early stages but drifted out of the match as Stuttgart dominated the second 45 minutes.

Substitutes

Alvaro Negredo - 5.5: The former Real Madrid man replaced the injured Kone, but other than a first half effort that was saved, did little.

Diego Perotti - 5.0: Replaced Diego Capel but with Sevilla defending their lead had little possession to show his ability.

Aldo Duscher - 3.0: Lasted just ten minutes before hobbling off injured, leaving his side down to ten men.

STUTTGART

Jens Lehmann – 6.5: Helpless for Navas’ goal and made a smart stop to deny substitute Negredo. A safe pair of hands in the second half.

Khalid Boulahrouz – 5.0: The Dutchman returned to his old stomping ground, but did not enjoy his tussle with Diego Capel, particularly in the early stages, when the Spaniard gave him a torrid time. Hooked at the interval.

Serdar Tasci – 6.5: Had just got to grips with Kone before injury forced the early introduction of Alvaro Negredo, and he then faced a completely animal, but he stood up to the task well.

Matthieu Delpierre – 6.0: Like his compatriot Tasci, had a difficult first half but looked more secure in the second, offering the Sevilla attackers little room for maneuver.

Arthur Boka – 7.0: The full-back was an excellent attacking option, and not only did he have an opportunity to score himself but also laid on clear opportunities for his colleagues.

Roberto Hilbert – 5.0: Sevilla overran him in the first half and did not re-appear for the second, being replaced by Sebastian Rudy.

Zdravko Kuzmanovic – 7.0: The Serbian had a sighter ten minutes before his winner that rattled the crossbar, but the equalizer was a special effort that stunned the home side.

Tomas Hitzlsperger – 6.0: The German pile-driver barely got an opportunity to unleash one of his trademark strikes, having to spend the majority of the match of the first half on the back foot protecting his defense.

Elson – 6.5: Sevilla’s dominance meant he was isolated at times and forced to drop deeper to hunt for scraps, but he worked hard in the second half and contributed to the cause in the second half improvement.

Aliaksandr Hleb – 6.0: The midfielder hasn't looked his best in some time, and tonight he did not exert the influence on the match which he is capable of.

Pavel Pogrebnyak – 6.0: Three goals all season speaks volumes for the lack of confidence currently curbing the Russian. However, he laid on the equalizer for Kuzmanovic, and harried the Sevilla defense with his strength.

Substitutes

Stefano Collezi - 6.0: The defender replaced Boulahrouz and looked more secure than his colleague, and also threatened at the other end of the pitch.

Sebastian Rudy - 5.5: Should have scored with a flick header from close range at the beginning of the second half.

Julian Schieber - 4.5: Missed a golden opportunity in the closing stages to give Stuttgart the win.

Paul Macdonald, Goal.com