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FC Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid, 2016 Champions League: Player Ratings

A detailed, player-by-player breakdown of Barcelona's thrilling win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Marc-Andre ter Stegen
6.8
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 20
Passes: 15
Pass Accuracy: 100%
Shots Faced: 2
Saves Made: 1
Clearances: 0

Bostjan says: 7.5

Despite Atletico’s attacking prowess, ter Stegen wasn’t necessarily tested much, especially in the second half when he was for the large part a mere spectator. He was busier in the first time when he made a couple of good saves, especially the one on Antoine Griezmann was brilliant, but he couldn’t prevent Barcelona from giving up the away goal. It’s tough to blame ter Stegen for the goal, but I’m sure he would like to have another crack at Fernando Torres’ shot which beat him through the legs.

Dani Alves
8.0
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 98
Passes: 80
Pass Accuracy: 90%
Key Passes: 3
Turnovers: 2
Tackles: 5
Shots/Shots on Target: 0/0
Clearances: 0
Aerial Duels Won: 2
Interceptions: 0

Bostjan says: 8.5

After a poor game against Real Madrid Alves returned with a masterclass. Alves was a key contributor on both Barcelona goals, both times with accurate crosses – on the first his cross preceded Alba’s assist while on the second goal the Brazilian picked up the assist. Overall Alves had a very good day crossing the ball as he almost picked up an assist early in the game but Neymar’s couldn’t direct his header on goal. Defensively Alves wasn’t tested much, but when he was he performed admirably.

Gerard Pique
7.0
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 92
Passes: 80
Pass Accuracy: 91%
Tackles: 3
Interceptions: 2
Clearances: 4
Aerial Duels Won: 4
Key Passes: 1

Bostjan says: 7.5

Putting aside the play which led to Atletico’s only goal of the game, on which Pique was lured from his usual spot allowing Torres to get behind the defense, Pique was a defensive wall. Some of his defensive plays in the first half weren’t pretty, but they were effective, and to top that he made a couple of fantastic diving tackles to stop Atletico Madrid counter attacks in the second half, stifling any chance of a second Atletico goal.

Javier Mascherano
7.2
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 92
Passes: 83
Pass Accuracy: 92%
Tackles: 3
Interceptions: 3
Clearances: 0
Aerial Duels Won: 1
Key Passes: 2

Bostjan says: 7.5

As so many times this season, Mascherano went quietly about his job and was excellent at it. He made numerous plays that stopped Atletico's attacks, but perhaps could've done better to cover for the jumping Pique on the visitors' only goal. Picked up a yellow card late in the game which puts him in danger for the first semi-final leg, if, of course, Barcelona get that far.

Jordi Alba
6.9
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 89
Passes: 70
Pass Accuracy: 89%
Shots/Shots on Target: 1/0
Tackles: 0
Interceptions: 3
Clearances: 0
Key Passes: 2
Turnovers: 2

Bostjan says: 7.5

Similarly to Alves, Alba improved massively compared to his showing in the El Clasico. Continually Alba put in the hard work on the left side of the Barcelona attack, trying to create mismatches in the Atletico defense and he was rewarded for it when he, rather fortuitously picked up an assist on Barcelona’s opener. Alba did at times struggle in defense, but he was solid enough to leave the damage to a minimum.

Sergio Busquets
7.3
Minutes played: 79
Touches:87
Passes: 78
Pass Accuracy: 91%
Shots/Shots on Target: 0/0
Tackles: 3
Interceptions: 2
Clearances: 1
Turnovers: 3
Aerial Duels Won: 3
Key Passes: 3
Fouls Won: 1

Sam says: 7.0

A strong defensive performance from Busquets and he played a pivotal role in the outcome of the match as he was the man fouled for Torres’ second yellow. Busquets’ main job was to keep the ball in Atlético’s half and he did this through accurate passing, strong tackles and well timed interceptions.

Ivan Rakitić
7.1
Minutes played: 62
Touches: 46
Passes: 40
Pass Accuracy: 90%
Shots/Shots on Target: 1/0
Turnovers: 0
Key Passes: 0
Fouls Won: 2
Interceptions: 3

Sam says: 6.5

Rakitić was pushed further forward as an attempt to give Messi space deeper in the field and he did well there. He created a chance and managed to get a shot away but as the player to feature in the most games this season, he visibly began to tire in the latter stages of the game. He was subsequently replaced by Rafinha just after the hour mark.

Andres Iniesta
7.6
Minutes played: 82
Touches: 95
Passes: 77
Pass Accuracy: 83%
Shots/Shots on Target: 1/0
Fouls Won: 0
Turnovers: 5
Successful Dribbles: 5
Key Passes: 2
Tackles: 1

Sam says: 7.0

Perhaps not as effective as he would’ve liked, there were plenty of good moments from Iniesta. He regularly tried to run at the well organised Atlético defence and while this didn't always come off, he was another way of trying to creating chances. Only Messi and Alves touched the ball more than him which highlights how involved he was in the game.

Lionel Messi
7.3
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 110
Passes: 81
Pass Accuracy: 84%
Shots/Shots on Target: 6/1
Turnovers: 5
Successful Dribbles: 7
Key Passes: 2
Fouls Won: 4
Tackles: 1

Bostjan says: 7.5

A frustrating game for Messi who was once again playing in a deeper role but that massively limited his operating space in Atletico's very congested middle. Still, Messi managed to get off a couple of good shots - but with no success. His best chance came on an overhead kick in the second half on which he was unlucky that the ball missed the target by mere inches.

Luis Suarez
8.2
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 31
Passes: 19
Pass Accuracy: 79%
Shots/Shots on Target: 3/2
Fouls Won: 0
Successful Dribbles: 1
Key Passes: 0
Turnovers: 3
Interceptions: 1

Bostjan says: 8.5

It was looking like another frustrating evening for the Uruguayan, but like all the best strikers all he needed was a chance or two to make an impression and Suarez delivered. Was in perfect position to tap in Alba's shot/pass to open Barcelona's account and showed impressive heading abilities to get such power on the header on the second goal to put Barcelona in the lead.


Neymar 8.0
Minutes played: 90
Touches: 81
Passes: 50
Pass Accuracy: 86%
Shots/Shots on Target: 6/1
Successful Dribbles: 5
Key Passes: 3
Fouls Won: 5
Turnovers: 10
Interceptions: 1

Bostjan says: 8.0

Seemingly on the move the entire 90+ minutes, Neymar was always trying to get open or trying to make a move on the ball to create space - to mixed results. Sent some very good shots on goal, even hitting the crossbar with a lovely right-footed try, but should've done better with his headed chances. While Neymar's style of play will always lead to many turnovers, he has to do better to limit them as turning the ball over 10 times is simply too much.

Rafinha 7.0
Minutes played: 28
Touches: 30
Passes: 15
Pass Accuracy: 100%
Shots/Shots on Target: 2/0

Bostjan says: 6.5
Making his long awaited return after a long-term injury, Rafinha did look a little bit rusty, but that's expected after a layoff of over six months. Brought energy to the pitch though and Lucho is surely very happy to have Rafinha available for selection again.
Sergi Roberto 6.7
Minutes played: 11
Touches: 14
Passes: 11
Pass Accuracy: 91%
Tackles: 1

Bostjan says: N/A

Introduced late in the game to spell Busquets, Roberto looked calm in midfield but didn't have enough time to be given a full rating.

Arda Turan
6.2
Minutes played: 8
Touches: 7
Passes: 6
Pass Accuracy: 100%
Key Passes: 1

Bostjan says: N/A

Arda came on with little time left and didn't have enough time to make an impression that would warrant a full rating.

The Team 7.5
Passes: 730
Pass Accuracy: 89%
Shots/Shots on Target: 21/5
Tackles: 21
Aerial Battles Won: 57%
Fouls Won/Committed: 11/8

Bostjan says: 7.5
Talk about a tale of two halves, Barcelona struggled mightily to get anything going in the first half, conceding a goal while creating very little themselves. In the second half Barça improved mightily, putting the Atletico defense under rarely seen pressure. Sure, Barcelona's efforts were aided by Torres' sending off, but Barcelona managed to put two past Jan Oblak which could be enough in this close tie.
Luis Enrique
7.6

Bostjan says: 7.0

Lucho went with the same ten outfielders as he did against Real Madrid, with Messi again spending a large amount of time in midfield, and Barcelona struggled to get anything going against a disciplined Atletico defense in the first half. Slight tactical kinks, coupled with Torres' expulsion, led to a much improved second half, but Lucho will have to think long and hard if using Messi in such a midfield role is best for Barcelona.

MOTM - Luis Suarez
40%

Bostjan says: Suarez
Even though he scored the only two Barcelona goal, Suarez wasn't as big of a runaway winner than on could've expected. Deservedly, Alves gave him a run for his money with an excellent game and 22% of the votes. Rounding out the top three was Neymar with 16%.

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