Player Ratings: Sporting Clube 2-5 Barcelona

Barcelona moved into a comfortable lead in the opening half and a goal flurry in the second period meant that the Catalan outfit ended as winners of a seven-goal thriller and won the group. Goal.com watched the action and handed out marks out of ten to each player.

Nov 26, 2008 9:35:19 PM

Lionel Messi embraces Thierry Henry after the Frenchman scored the opening goal in the stunning 2-5 demolition of Sporting Clube (MARCA)

Teams

SPORTING

Patrício 3 - Had already let in four goals when he came out and clumsily met Bojan instead of the ball and was sent for an early bath.

Caneira 4.5 - Did nothing to prove that Valencia were wrong to let him go as he committed several bad fouls and scored an own goal at a crucial moment.

Grimi 5 - Showed some good touches, but like the majority of the Sporting rearguard he looked easily unsettled when faced with a player running at him.

Polga 5.5 - Made a few mistakes against an impressive attack, but also involved himself with some good tackles and a chance going forward.

Carriço 6 - Did what he could and impressed particularly in the first half with some good interventions when Messi looked like he was going score more.

Veloso 6 - Another player that showed some good touches but was just unable to do anything about some of the poor defending or the unimpressive attacking.

Pereirinha 5 - Sporting's midfield did what they could, but it was not a night for them as Barça dominated posession folr long periods.

Moutinho 5.5 - Wanted by many of the continent's top teams, he must be wondering if it is time to consider taking one of them up on it after that.

Romagnoli 5 - Was taken off at half-time in what was an attacking move that could have worked had Sporting not made the mistakes that led to their defeat.

Yannick 5 - Inffective, although he did show flashes of the speed that have impressed before, but he was unable to use it to any great effect.

Liedson 4.5 - Took his goal well, but offside so often that he has to be culpable for so many decent Sporting moves breaking down.

Subs

Tiago 5 - The stand-in keeper's first duty was to pick the ball out of his net afte a penalty and then he saw Caneira knock the ball over him.

Derlei 4.5 - Was put on at half time and while Sporting did score twice in the second period, he cannot be credited with being one of the main reasons.

Postiga 5 -Showed some good touches, but did not go forward and test Valdés and the last few minutes saw Sporting unable to offer much up front.

BARCELONA

Valdés 6 - Could do little about either goal as the first was a stunning effort and the second saw him beaten in a one-on-one for the first time.

Alves 8 - Very effective going forward and actually showed some good defensive moments to when Sporting did eventually move up field.

Cáceres 6.5 - Grew in confidence as the game wore on after some unsteady touches in the opening minutes, but he was out of position at left-back.

Márquez 6 - One long pass did not make up for several misplaced ones and poor header that led to Sporting's goal which could have seen the hosts come back.

Piqué 7 - More solid than his partner on the night and will be pleased to have prodded home the second after being unlucky at set pieces in recent games.

Busquets 8 - Put himself about very well and showed that he is going to be on the key players for the Blaugrana in the future with his tackling and vision.

Xavi 7.5 - As reliable as ever, the playmaker was at the centre of most of Barça's passing movements although he did not produce anything stunning.

Gudjohnsen 7 - Looked like he needed to find the rhythm early on after not playing regularly, but he came into the game and impressed.

Hleb 7 - Another that showed signs of lack of match practice, but the Belorusian found his feet and began to prove that he deserves more minutes.

Messi 9 - A constant problem for the Sporting defenders and it was no coincidence that the hosts grew in confidence once he went off and they did not have to think about him.

Henry 8 - A well taken goal and some very slick touches as the Frenchman looked more comfortable without Samuel Eto'o hogging the central position.

Subs

Pedro 7.5 - Despite his young age, he showed hos confident he is at playing at the highest level by running at Sporting's defence and trying his luck from distance.

Krkic 8 - Did well to win the penalty and showed a cool head to tuck it past the substitute goalkeeper after missing an earlier chance.

Keita 7 - Did not really have much time to do a great deal, but he settled in and took a few touches which will all add to his confidence.

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!