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PSG logo
Champions League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 15, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

1-3

Mathieu (82' og.)
FT(HT: 0-1)
Neymar (18'), Suarez (67', 79')

Player Ratings: Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Barcelona

Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed during Barcelona's 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final.

Barcelona recorded a 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

The visitors led 3-0 entering the final 10 minutes courtesy of goals from Neymar and Luis Suarez (2), but PSG had one back late on through Gregory van der Wiel.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each player performed in Paris.


Javier Pastore of PSG is challenged by Sergio Busquets of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 15, 2015© Getty Images

PSG

Goal

Salvatore Sirigu: Might have done a little better with Barcelona's second, but was left too exposed by his defence on a number of occasions. Made some decent saves in the second half. (6/10)

Defence

Gregory van der Wiel: One of his team's brighter players on the night. Was always prepared to break forward when possible and he added the game's fourth goal late on. (6/10)

Thiago Silva: Had a difficult opening to the game and did not look fully fit. That was confirmed when he trudged off the field moments after Barcelona had opened the scoring. (5/10)

Marquinhos: Was thrown in at the deep end as PSG's only fit centre-back, but the Brazilian outshone both Silva and David Luiz. Kept the defence together for long spells of the game. (6/10)

Maxwell: Linked well with Matuidi in the first period, but struggled defensively in the second half and was too easily bullied off the ball for Suarez's first of the night. (6/10)

Midfield

Adrien Rabiot: Lost possession in a wide area in the build-up to Barcelona's opener, but the young Frenchman grew into the game before being replaced after 65 minutes. (6/10)

Blaise Matuidi: Quite comfortably PSG's best player on the night. Always inventive in the final third and was prepared to help out at both ends of the field. Did not deserve to be on the losing team. (7/10)

Yohan Cabaye: Thrown in for a rare start due to injuries and suspensions, but the Frenchman had a difficult night. To be blunt, the game passed him by for long spells. (5/10)

Attack

Ezequiel Lavezzi: Threatened when he broke with pace in the final third, but that was not a regular occurrence. A bit of a mixed bag in terms of delivery from wide areas. (6/10)

Edinson Cavani: Showed good movement at times, but the striker's touch was off and he snatched at a couple of excellent chances. Not a night to remember for the striker. (5/10)

Javier Pastore: Looked dangerous in possession of the ball, but missed a gilt-edged chance early on, which would have put a different complexion on the game. (6/10)

Substitutes

David Luiz: Clearly not fully fit when he entered, but it was a terrible final 25 minutes for the defender. Torn to pieces by Suarez, whose second highlighted really poor work from the centre-back. (4/10)

Lucas Moura: Thrown on for the final 25 minutes, but the Brazilian struggled to make his mark. Showed some decent pace, but not much in terms of an end product. (5/10)


Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions league quarter-final first leg football match PSG vs FC Barcelona at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on April 15, 2015© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Did not have an awful lot to do, but went about his work with minimum fuss and made one stunning save to deny Cavani. Could not do anything about PSG's goal. (6/10)

Defence

Martin Montoya: Dani Alves's suspension opened up a spot in the team for the Spaniard and he had a strong game down the right. Bright in possession and solid defensively. (6/10)

Gerard Pique: Was a little slow to react to a couple of PSG attacks in the first period, but the Spaniard grew into the game and made a number of crucial interceptions late on. (7/10)

Javier Mascherano: Brought back into the XI at the expense of Jeremy Mathieu and the Argentine had a strong game. Made one outstanding challenge to deny Cavani in the first period. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: Was not overly involved going forward, especially in the second period, but the left-back was strong defensively and never really looked in any danger. (7/10)

Midfield

Ivan Rakitic: Was not overly involved in terms of attacking football, but the Croatian kept things ticking over in the middle of the park before being replaced for the final 15 minutes. (6/10)

Sergio Busquets: Has faced some criticism in recent months, but the Spanish midfielder had a strong game here. Always in the right place to put out a number of fires. (7/10)

Andres Iniesta: Was in the wars in the first period and lasted just eight minutes into the second after picking up a back injury. Was neat and tidy during his time on the field though. (6/10)

Attack

Neymar: Was a constant threat throughout the match and continued his strong scoring form in the Champions League with a clever finish early on. Caused havoc in the final third. (8/10)

Luis Suarez: Came to the forefront in the final 25 minutes with two stunning goals. The striker's first was excellent, but his second was sensational. A true number nine's performance. (9/10)

Lionel Messi: Did not get his name on the scoresheet despite a couple of opportunities, but the Argentine set up Neymar for Barcelona's first and radiated class in possession of the ball. (8/10)

Substitutes

Xavi: The legs might not move as fast as they once did, but it is still working upstairs for the Spaniard. Came on in the 53rd minute and hardly relinquished possession of the ball. (7/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Will have been disappointed not to start after an impressive run of form, but the Frenchman made a big contribution late on when he blocked an attempt from Cavani. (7/10)

Adriano: Pressed into action for the final 10 minutes and the Brazilian, who slotted in at right-back, made an excellent challenge to deny Lavezzi an attempt on goal late on. (6/10)


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Neymar of Barcelona celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 15, 2015
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Match Analysis: Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Barcelona
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