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.























© 2013 - British Sky Broadcasting Ltd
Comments
Add Comment: