Barcelona v Chelsea - player ratings

Tuesday 24th April 2012 22:16

Chelsea: Superb team performance in Barcelona

Chelsea: Superb team performance in Barcelona

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TEAMtalk rates and slates the individual displays as Chelsea drew in Barcelona to reach the Champions League final after a 3-2 aggregate win.

BARCELONA

VICTOR VALDES: Took out his own team-mate Gerard Pique and caught off his line by Ramires. 4.

CARLES PUYOL: Looked nervous each time Chelsea attacked. 5.

GERARD PIQUE: Comeback lasted just 26 minutes after a sickening collision with Valdes. 4.

JAVIER MASCHERANO: Offered more in attack than defence. 5.

SERGIO BUSQUETS: Scored the opener and used the ball well. 6.

XAVI: Kept Barca ticking over but struggled to find the killer ball. 6.

ANDRES INIESTA: Looked to have buried Chelsea with a brilliant goal and was a real creative force. 7.

CESC FABREGAS: Again found wanting against Chelsea when it really mattered. 6.

LIONEL MESSI: At times superhuman, at times very human indeed. Will wonder for the rest of his life how he did not score. Missed a crucial penalty. 6.

ISAAC CUENCA: Justified his selection by setting up the opener but not a major threat otherwise. 6.

ALEXIS SANCHEZ: His theatrical reaction to John Terry's knee from behind appeared to have proven fatal. Poor otherwise. 5.

SUBSTITUTES:

DANIEL ALVES (for Pique, 26 mins): Clearly offered more attacking threat than Pique but not a centre-back. 6.

TELLO (for Cuenca, 68): Did little. 5.

SEYDOU KEITA (for Fabregas, 74): Made little difference. 4.

CHELSEA

PETR CECH: Once again, simply magnificent in keeping Barca at bay. 9.

BRANISLAV IVANOVIC: Needless yellow card to rule him out of the final but heroic otherwise. 8.

GARY CAHILL: Slipped and injured himself after only six minutes. Tried to continue but forced off. 5.

JOHN TERRY: Was solid at the back for 37 minutes before suicidally getting himself sent off. 3.

ASHLEY COLE: Has proven over the course of the tie he is the best left-back in the world. 9.

JOHN OBI MIKEL: Repeatedly put his body on the line. 8.

RAUL MEIRELES: Again, a needless booking but gave everything. 7.

JUAN MATA: Marginally better than in the first leg but defending is not his style. 6.

FRANK LAMPARD: Threatened to get himself sent off but set up the goal and otherwise superb in defence. 8.

RAMIRES: Another needless yellow card but tireless running. 8.

DIDIER DROGBA: Simply superb in defence and at holding the ball up. Fewer theatrics than the first leg, too. 8.

SUBSTITUTES:

JOSE BOSINGWA (for Cahill, 12): He may be ridiculed by some but he stood up when called upon and produced a solid defensive display. 8.

SALOMON KALOU (for Mata, 58): The right change at the right time. 7.

FERNANDO TORRES (for Drogba, 80): Wasted a couple of breakaway chances but was composure itself in delivering the killer blow. 8.

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