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Barcelona logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Dec 10, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
PSG logo

3-1

Messi (19'), Neymar (41'), Suarez (77')
FT(HT: 2-1)

Player Ratings: Barcelona 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain

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

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all scored as Barcelona recorded a 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The success ensured that Barca finished top of Group F, with PSG qualifying in second position.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened the scoring for the visitors, but strikes from Messi, Neymar and Suarez made sure of all the points for the Catalan outfit.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during the European affair.


Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match against PSG on December 10, 2014© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Young German could not do much with the Ibrahimovic strike and he looked confident between the sticks. Continues to grow with each appearance. (6/10)

Defence

Pedro: Spent time at right-back, right-wing and central midfield, but never really had a strong influence. It was a strange old night for the Spanish international. (6/10)

Marc Bartra: Given the nod at centre-back and once again impressed at the Camp Nou. Confident in possession, while he made a number of crucial interceptions. (7/10)

Gerard Pique: Has struggled to find his best form thus far this season, but had a solid night at the Camp Nou. Much more like it from the centre-back. (7/10)

Javier Mascherano: Has seen change all around him this season, but the Argentine remains a constant. Such an important player for the Spanish side these days. (7/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Surprisingly chosen ahead of Jordi Alba at wing-back and the Frenchman really struggled to come to terms with the pace and movement of Lucas Moura. (6/10)

Midfield

Andres Iniesta: Had the look of a player that has just returned from a lay-off. Set up the second goal, but was short of his own high standards. (6/10)

Sergio Busquets: Had a little more licence to break forward, but did not have much of an influence on the match. Solid enough, but not too much to shout about. (6/10)

Attack

Neymar: Had a frustrating first 41 minutes, but then curled a spectacular effort into the bottom corner. It was a world-class moment from the Brazilian. (7/10)

Lionel Messi: So often the saviour for his side and the Argentine scored the decisive equaliser at the Camp Nou. Was a threat throughout the match. (7/10)

Luis Suarez: Set up Messi for Barca's first of the evening, before netting himself in the latter stages. A really positive performance from the Uruguay international. (8/10)

Substitutes

Ivan Rakitic: Replaced Pedro after 67 minutes and brought a better balance to the Barca midfield. Will have been disappointed to have been dropped to the bench. (6/10)

Xavi: Introduced for the final 20 minutes and the Spaniard immediately picked up the pace of the match. Was involved in the build-up top Barca's third. (6/10)

Adriano: Only given the final 30 seconds. (N/A)


Paris Saint-Germain's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match against FC Barcelona on December 10, 2014© Getty Images

PSG

Goal

Salvatore Sirigu: Made some decent saves, especially in the first period, but did not exactly cover himself in glory for Barca's first and third of the night. (6/10)

Defence

Gregory van der Wiel: Got forward on a number of occasions in the first half, but faded as the match developed. Could and should have had a bigger influence in the final third. (6/10)

Thiago Silva: Far from his best at the Camp Nou. The Brazilian centre-back was a little slow to the ball and looked short of his own high standards. (6/10)

David Luiz: Caught out of position for Barca's first, but was his usual self in possession. Classy with the ball, but not really convincing without. (6/10)

Maxwell: Did not really threaten in the final third, with Pedro's inter-changing position occupying the left-back for long spells of the match. (6/10)

Midfield

Thiago Motta: Had a mixed night on his return to the Camp Nou. Tidy enough in possession, but did not provide too much protection to his back four. (6/10)

Marco Verratti: Started the match in brilliant fashion, but was crowded out as the first half developed. Somewhat surprisingly replaced after just an hour. (6/10)

Blaise Matuidi: Set up the opening goal with a clever pass and always looked a threat in the final third. Was eventually forced off with an injury after 75 minutes. (7/10)

Attack

Lucas Moura: Caused Barca all sorts of problems in the first period and should have scored from a Matuidi cross. Faded in the second half, but remained a threat. (7/10)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Opened the scoring with a brilliant finish and always looked capable of making something happen. Was starved of service in the second period. (7/10)

Edinson Cavani: Did not have too many chances to make his mark. Never stopped working in the final third, but nothing fell for the Uruguay international in Barcelona. (6/10)

Substitutes

Javier Pastore: Introduced in place of Verratti just past the hour mark, but struggled to influence proceedings despite showing some nice touches. (6/10)

Ezequiel Lavezzi: Offered a different threat in the latter stages, but Barca's domination of the ball made it hard for the Argentine to make his mark. (6/10)


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Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match against PSG on December 10, 2014
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25PSG62137
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29Sturm Graz61053
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32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
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