|
|
Player Ratings: Barcelona 1-0 Espanyol
Goal.com's Ewan Macdonald rates the performers on show in the Barcelona derby...
Dec 12, 2009 4:15:12 PM
BARCELONA (4-3-3)
Valdes - 7: Called into action seldom, but confident when these situations arose.
Alves - 6.5: Should have done better with his crossing, although his energy was boundless.
Puyol - 6: Not one of the captain's better evenings. In fact it was quite a wasteful one.
Pique - 7: His usual aerial threat was present and he was a fine force defensively as well.
Maxwell - 6.5: A howler near the end almost ruined what began as a positive evening for the ex-Inter man.
Xavi - 7: Quiet by his standards, but still to be commended for some fine passing and possession play.
Toure - 6.5: Played the simple pass and tracked back well, but was unspectacular over the piece.
Iniesta - 5: A very disappointing performance from a man capable of much, much better. Nothing he tried seemed to work.
Pedro - 6.5: Was unlucky not to open the scoring early on, and always looked ready to receive the ball.
Ibrahimovic - 8.5: The engine through which a Messi-less Barcelona can still tick over. His buildup play and trickery on the ball are utterly invaluable, and he took his penalty brilliantly.
Henry - 6.5: Henry did enough to have an acceptable game, but little more. Kept his marker busy, at least.
Substitutes
Keita 7
Bojan 6
Busquets N/A
ESPANYOL (4-2-3-1)
Kameni - 7.5: Could do nothing about the penalty but commanded his area very well otherwise, especially with balls across goalmouth.
Roncaglia - 8: Started badly but grew into his role brilliantly to end up as Espanyol's top performer, keeping Henry quiet and helping out at set-pieces to good effect.
Pareja - 7: A positive showing in which the physical stopper was unfortunate to be on the losing side.
Victor Ruiz - 6.5: Did not assert himself very well in dead ball situations but was solid otherwise.
Chica - 5.5: A decent start was marred as he nearly 'sold the jerseys' for a Pedro opener. Too inconsistent in his role and perhaps the weak link in the defence.
Baena - 4.5: His tender age may help explain why his every touch of the ball was tinged with fear. Against Barcelona you need a solid central midfield; Baena can't provide. Not marked down for the penalty, which was harsh against him.
Forlin - 7: Clumsy in the challenge at times but even without assistance he was a bulldog.
Coro - 6: Was afforded plenty of space but did virtually nothing with it.
Verdu - 6.5: His excellent long-range effort could have changed the game, but he was removed at half time for failing to assert himself.
Luis Garcia - 6.5: Played well out wide at times but lacked the killer ball and the confidence to cut inside.
Ivan Alonso - 6: Had an utterly thankless task on his hands in the first half but held the ball up well. But with chances at a premium, he should have done better with what scraps he was fed.
Substitutes
Jose Callejon 6.5
Javi Marquez 7.5
Ben Sahar 5.5
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
Valdes - 7: Called into action seldom, but confident when these situations arose.
Alves - 6.5: Should have done better with his crossing, although his energy was boundless.
Puyol - 6: Not one of the captain's better evenings. In fact it was quite a wasteful one.
Pique - 7: His usual aerial threat was present and he was a fine force defensively as well.
Maxwell - 6.5: A howler near the end almost ruined what began as a positive evening for the ex-Inter man.
Xavi - 7: Quiet by his standards, but still to be commended for some fine passing and possession play.
Toure - 6.5: Played the simple pass and tracked back well, but was unspectacular over the piece.
Iniesta - 5: A very disappointing performance from a man capable of much, much better. Nothing he tried seemed to work.
Pedro - 6.5: Was unlucky not to open the scoring early on, and always looked ready to receive the ball.
Ibrahimovic - 8.5: The engine through which a Messi-less Barcelona can still tick over. His buildup play and trickery on the ball are utterly invaluable, and he took his penalty brilliantly.
Henry - 6.5: Henry did enough to have an acceptable game, but little more. Kept his marker busy, at least.
Substitutes
Keita 7
Bojan 6
Busquets N/A
ESPANYOL (4-2-3-1)
Kameni - 7.5: Could do nothing about the penalty but commanded his area very well otherwise, especially with balls across goalmouth.
Roncaglia - 8: Started badly but grew into his role brilliantly to end up as Espanyol's top performer, keeping Henry quiet and helping out at set-pieces to good effect.
Pareja - 7: A positive showing in which the physical stopper was unfortunate to be on the losing side.
Victor Ruiz - 6.5: Did not assert himself very well in dead ball situations but was solid otherwise.
Chica - 5.5: A decent start was marred as he nearly 'sold the jerseys' for a Pedro opener. Too inconsistent in his role and perhaps the weak link in the defence.
Baena - 4.5: His tender age may help explain why his every touch of the ball was tinged with fear. Against Barcelona you need a solid central midfield; Baena can't provide. Not marked down for the penalty, which was harsh against him.
Forlin - 7: Clumsy in the challenge at times but even without assistance he was a bulldog.
Coro - 6: Was afforded plenty of space but did virtually nothing with it.
Verdu - 6.5: His excellent long-range effort could have changed the game, but he was removed at half time for failing to assert himself.
Luis Garcia - 6.5: Played well out wide at times but lacked the killer ball and the confidence to cut inside.
Ivan Alonso - 6: Had an utterly thankless task on his hands in the first half but held the ball up well. But with chances at a premium, he should have done better with what scraps he was fed.
Substitutes
Jose Callejon 6.5
Javi Marquez 7.5
Ben Sahar 5.5
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.