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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)


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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
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Group A

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Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

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Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

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Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
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Q Belgium Belgium31114
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4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

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Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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