Barcelona made great strides to their eight consecutive quarter-final…
Manchester City once again floundered at home to Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 loss and the odds look stacked against them to take a place in the quarter-final, as they have to win by two goals at the Nou Camp.
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Here’s how the Sky Blues players rated:
GK – Joe Hart – 7
Couldn’t have stopped either goal and if it wasn’t for him it would have been worse. Good stop to deny Luis Suarez at 1-0 and pulled off a great penalty save from Lionel Messi.
RB – Pablo Zabaleta – 5
Was always going to have a busy night being up against Neymar, but came off very much second best and was lucky to escape with no booking.
CB – Vincent Kompany – 6
Shouldn’t have lost his aerial battle leading to the first goal, recover afterwards and helped his side keep the goal hungry strikers of Barcelona at bay for the main part.
CB – Martin Demichelis – 5
Allowed Suarez in ahead of him for the second, anticipation was as bad as his distribution. An all-round night to forget for the Argentine.
LB – Gael Clichy – 5
Left his side very much in the lurch, getting sent off with a stupid double booking, when their tails were up. Who is to say if City could have gone on for an equaliser if they had 11 men on the pitch.
RM – David Silva – 6
Provided an assist for Aguero’s goal, but for the majority of the game Barcelona’s back-line had his beating. An off colour display and not what we have come to expect from the Spanish winger.
CM – Fernando – 5
Gave the ball away to allow Suarez through on goal and that set the tone for his performance. Never recovered and the defensive midfielder barely made a tackle.
CM James Milner – 6
Started off well, playing a brilliant ball over the top to Edin Dzeko, but faded as the game wore on. A safe pair of hands performing reasonably without ever being outstanding.
LM – Samir Nasri (Fernandinho 61′) – 4
All at sea and failed to rise to the occasion. Shameful work-rate when it mattered, allowing Barcelona to keep possession which they will do with ease and created nothing all game.
ST Sergio Aguero – 7
A livewire for Manchester City and manager Manuel Pellegrini will be looking to him in the 2nd leg if they are to have any chance. Deserved his goal and never gave up.
ST – Edin Dzeko (Bony 68′) – 5
Should have scored a free header which he made easy for Marc-Andre ter Stegen by giving it straight to him, subbed as he was having no effect on the game.
Subs:
Fernandinho – 5
Did very little and failed to impose himself physically.
Wilfried Bony – 5
When Manchester City really needed a spark he showed very little.