MX23RW : Monday, December 23 20:34:30| >> :120:76794:76794:
[monks data]
PSG logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 30, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

3-2

Luiz (10'), Verratti (26'), Matuidi (54')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Messi (11'), Neymar (56')

Player Ratings: Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 Barcelona

Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed as Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 3-2 in their Champions League Group F clash in Paris.

Paris Saint-Germain inflicted Barcelona's first defeat of the season with a 3-2 win in their Champions League meeting in Paris this evening.

Lionel Messi cancelled out an 10th-minute strike from David Luiz, but Marco Verratti left PSG with a 2-1 lead at the break.

Blaise Matuidi scored PSG's third early in the second period, but Neymar responded for Barcelona shortly after.

Despite late pressure, Barca could not find a leveller as they suffered defeat in the pulsating Group F clash.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the European affair in Paris.


Paris' Italian midfielder Marco Verratti celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Barcelona (FCB) on September 30, 2014© Getty Images

PSG

Goal

Salvatore Sirigu: Did not have a single save to make this evening, but could do nothing with either of Barcelona's goals. The Italian was also strong from crosses in the latter stages. (7/10)

Defence

Gregory van der Wiel: Put in a brilliant cross for his side's third of the evening and caused Barcelona's Jordi Alba all sorts of problems with an energetic display down the right. (7/10)

Marquinhos: Alongside Luiz, Marquinhos was brilliant this evening. He made block after block, with his star moment a last-ditch challenge to deny Alba a certain goal in the second period. (8/10)

David Luiz: No real surprise that the crowd loved his performance. The Brazilian opened the scoring with a calm finish, but his defensive work, especially aerially, was also excellent. (8/10)

Maxwell: Vowed pre-match to use all of his experience against his former side and that was indeed the case as the Brazilian marked Pedro and Neymar out of the match. (7/10)

Midfield

Thiago Motta: Wasn't always noticed, but performed a brilliant role for his team this evening as he broke up the play and kept possession of the ball. (8/10)

Blaise Matuidi: Did not give the Barcelona midfield a moment to rest and capped his impressive display with his side's third early in the second half. (8/10)

Marco Verratti: Scored his side's crucial second with a header in the first period, while he was calm and composed in possession of the ball. A super all-round performance. (8/10)

Attack

Javier Pastore: Not as involved as Lucas on the opposite wing, but showed moments of quality in attack. Certainly contributed to his team this evening. (7/10)

Edinson Cavani: Could and should have found the back of the net, but was wasteful with his finishing. That said, the striker did occupy Barcelona's defence with his tireless running. (7/10)

Lucas Moura: Gave Alba nightmares as he continued to breeze past the full-back. A couple of crosses were wayward, but he was such a threat for the home side this evening. (8/10)

Substitutes

Yohan Cabaye: Introduced 20 minutes from time to help keep possession in the middle of the park and the Frenchman immediately picked up the pace of the match. (7/10)

Clement Chantome: Was slightly wasteful with a couple of crosses in the latter stages, but did drop back to help his defence when needed. (6/10)

Jean-Christophe Bahebeck: Replaced the injured Lucas late on and gave his side an out-ball in attack. Forced Alba to concede a late corner after bursting into the Barcelona box. (6/10)


Paris' Brazilian defender David Luiz (3rdR) scores a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Barcelona (FCB) on September 30, 2014© Getty Images

BARCELONA

Goal

Marc-Andre ter Stegen: Cannot be faulted for PSG's first or third goal, but should have done better with the second. The German must be given time to adapt to his new surroundings. (6/10)

Defence

Dani Alves: Was always prepared to break into the final third and become involved in the play, but his crossing and distribution was poor at times. (6/10)

Javier Mascherano: Showed good pace and strength to deal with the threat of Cavani and looked the steadiest member of Barcelona's back four this evening. (7/10)

Jeremy Mathieu: Has made a brilliant start to the season, but found things a little tougher this evening against the pace and movement of Lucas and Cavani. (6/10)

Jordi Alba: Given a torrid time by Lucas, but could have been the hero in the second period when he broke into the PSG box. (6/10)

Midfield

Ivan Rakitic: Surprisingly poor from the Croatian this evening, who just never got into the match. The midfielder was seriously overshadowed by those in blue. (5/10)

Sergio Busquets: Untidy in possession of the ball and gave away too many needless fouls. Did not seem to be in tune with a number of his teammates this evening. (5/10)

Andres Iniesta: Had sight of goal on a couple of occasions, but was wasteful with his shooting. That said, he always looked capable of making something happen. (6/10)

Attack

Pedro: Completely anonymous this evening. The Spaniard was hardly seen before being replaced by teenager Munir El-Haddadi just past the hour mark. (4/10)

Lionel Messi: Scored a brilliant equaliser in the first period and always looked a threat to the PSG defence. Was let down by a number of his teammates this evening. (7/10)

Neymar: Has had a brilliant start to the season, but struggled this evening. The Brazilian did score a brilliant second-half goal, but he was disappointing overall. (6/10)

Substitutes

Munir El Haddadi: Struck the post with a rasping drive late on and caused problems during his 30 minutes on the field in Paris. (7/10)

Xavi: Made a record-breaking 143rd appearance in the Champions League this evening, but could not inspire his team after entering with 20 minutes remaining. (6/10)

Sandro Ramirez: Came close to equalising late on with a low strike, but saw his effort whistle wide of the post. Like Munir, Sandro impressed from the bench this evening. (6/10)


ID:179968: cacheID:179968:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9860:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paris' Italian midfielder Marco Verratti celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) vs Barcelona (FCB) on September 30, 2014
Read Next:
PSG see off Barcelona in thrilling tie
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Liverpool660018
2Barcelona650115
3B. Leverkusen641113
4Inter Milan641113
5Brest641113
6Arsenal641113
7Aston Villa641113
8Lille641113
9Bayern640212
10Dortmund640212
11Atletico640212
12AC Milan640212
13Atalanta632111
14Juventus632111
15Benfica631210
16Feyenoord631210
17Brugge631210
18Monaco631210
19Sporting Lisbon631210
20Real Madrid63039
21Celtic62319
22Man City62228
23PSV62228
24Dinamo Zagreb62228
25PSG62137
26Stuttgart62137
27Shakhtar61144
28Sparta Prague61144
29Sturm Graz61053
30Girona61053
31Red Star61053
32Salzburg61053
33Bologna60242
34RB Leipzig60060
35Slovan Bratislava60060
36Young Boys60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!