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Barcelona logo
Champions League | Round-Of-16
Mar 18, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

1-0

Rakitic (31')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Player Ratings: Barcelona (3)1-0(1) Manchester City

Sports Mole takes a look at how each player performed as Barcelona overcame Manchester City in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal of the match as Barcelona beat Manchester City 1-0 in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Spanish side entered the match boasting a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Manchester and made it 3-1 on aggregate after 31 minutes when Rakitic registered from close range.

City improved in the second period and forced a late penalty through Sergio Aguero, but the Argentine missed from the spot as the Premier League outfit exited to Barcelona at this stage of the competition for the second successive season.

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


Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Neymar and Luis Suarez of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match against Manchester City on March 18, 2015© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Had a nervy moment in the second period when he lost out to Aguero in a wide area, but the German made up for his gaffe by denying Aguero from the penalty spot late on. (7/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Was heavily involved in the first period, but the Brazilian's final ball might have been a little better. Will now miss the first leg of Barca's quarter-final after picking up a booking. (6/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Brought into the XI due to Sergio Busquets's injury and the Frenchman had a solid game at centre-back. Was quick across the turf and strong in the air. (7/10)

Gerard Pique: It seems a long time ago that Pique was being criticised for some under-par performances. Dealt impressively with the City attack and was comfortable on the ball. (7/10)

Jordi Alba: So often a threat in the final third and that was again the case here. Had a couple of excellent chances to register after breaking forward, while he was also brilliant defensively. (8/10)

Midfield

Andres Iniesta: Not as involved in the second period as he was in the first, but still kept things ticking over for the Spanish side. Helped the hosts dominate the midfield battle in Spain. (7/10)

Javier Mascherano: Moved from centre-back to central midfield due to Busquets's absence and did so with ease. Read the game brilliantly and formed a layer of protection for his back four. (7/10)

Ivan Rakitic: Proved the match-winner at the Camp Nou as his excellent finish after 31 minutes separated the two teams. Was always available in the final third during a strong performance. (8/10)

Attack

Neymar: Could have had four or five goals, but the Brazilian's finishing was poor. Was always in the right position, however, and had Bacary Sagna on toast for long spells of the match. (7/10)

Lionel Messi: Absolutely mesmerised City from start to finish. Set up Rakitic for the only goal of the match, but could have had four or five assists and a couple of goals himself. Ran the show in Barcelona. (9/10)

Luis Suarez: Hit the post in the first period, but could not match his heroics from the first leg. Gave City problems all night, however, and opened space for his fellow forwards in attack. (7/10)

Substitutes

Rafinha: Replaced Rakitic after 84 minutes and was neat in possession. (5/10)

Adriano: Only given the final 60 seconds. (5/10)


Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior (L) vies with Manchester City's English goalkeeper Joe Hart (R) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 football match on March 18, 2015© Getty Images

MAN CITY

Goal

Joe Hart: Just shades Messi for the man-of-the-match award after an extraordinary display. Made four or five world-class saves and ensured that his team were not humiliated at the Camp Nou. (9/10)

Defence

Bacary Sagna: Surprisingly started ahead of Pablo Zabaleta and in truth, the Frenchman had a tough night. Found Neymar difficult to handle and struggled to have an influence in the final third. (6/10)

Vincent Kompany: Gave the ball away on a couple of occasions in the first period, but was not punished. Struggled to deal with the hosts all evening as the centre-back's form continues to suffer. (6/10)

Martin Demichelis: Preferred to Eliaquim Mangala, but the experienced defender struggled to contain the Barcelona attack. Tidy in possession, but was continually pulled out of position. (6/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: Had chances to break forward in the second period, but the left-back's delivery was really disappointing. Also struggled to contain the home side in defensive areas. (5/10)

Midfield

Fernandinho: Picked up the game's first booking after 15 minutes and was always walking a fine line from that moment. Plenty of running, but struggled to put his foot on the ball. (6/10)

Yaya Toure: Really struggled in a deeper midfield position as Barcelona won the battle in the middle of the park. Better when pushed further forward, but did not offer too much for his team. (5/10)

James Milner: Worked ever-so hard in the middle of the park, but was chasing shadows for long spells. That said, the Englishman had his side's best chance in the first period. (6/10)

Attack

Samir Nasri: Got involved in an early altercation with Alba, before picking up a yellow for a terrible challenge on Neymar. Really struggled before being replaced at the interval. (4/10)

Sergio Aguero: As expected, was his side's biggest threat for long spells, but missed the chance to set up a grandstand finish when his late penalty was saved by Ter Stegen. (6/10)

David Silva: Neat and tidy in possession, but the Spaniard never saw enough of the ball to make his mark. Needed more support from those around him on what was a frustrating night. (6/10)

Substitutes

Jesus Navas: Replaced Nasri at the interval and certainly gave the visitors more of a threat in the final third. The Spaniard's final pass, however, was disappointing. Story of his City career. (6/10)

Wilfried Bony: Thrown on for the final 20 minutes, but only really had one attempt. Needs to be starting games in order to kick-start his career with the Premier League champions. (5/10)

Frank Lampard: Hardly touched the ball in the final three minutes. (5/10)


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Lionel Messi of Barcelona is challenged by Yaya Toure of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg match on March 18, 2015
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Match Analysis: Barcelona (3)1-0(1) Manchester City
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