Barcelona vs Bayern Munich - Player Ratings

Lionel Messi and Dani Alves celebrate a Barcelona goal

Barcelona took giant steps toward reaching the final as a late Lionel Messi show helped them trash Bayern Munich 3-0 at Nou Camp. Chance after chance fell for Barca in the opening period, but they were not able to take it as the half finished nil-nil.

The match seemed to be going towards a goalless draw before Messi scored twice in the space of five minutes. Neymar added another late on to rub salt on Bayern's wound. It was not a happy return for Pep Guardiola to Nou Camp as his side now needs a miracle to progress through to the finals.

Let us look at how the players performed on the night:

Barcelona

Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 6/10

Bayern had 0 shots on target and he was mainly a spectator in the match.

Dani Alves - 7/10

He surged forward at every possible occasion and delivered balls into the box. Alves had a great opportunity to open the scoring, but he missed it in the first half. He played a great part in Messi's opener.

Gerrard Pique - 5/10

He struggled to hold Bayern attackers on the night. His positioning and control were, at times, questionable, especially in the first half he mistimed a cross which fell straight to Lewandowski, but the striker couldn't make the most of it.

Javier Mascherano - 7/10

He was slightly better than his centre-half partner. Although his positioning too was questionable at times. However, he did well to limit Bayern's attack.

Jordi Alba - 7/10

The Spaniard was lively throughout the game as he ran forward and back tirelessly in the left side. He also occasionally put in dangerous crosses in the box while doing a decent job at the back.

Sergio Busquets - 6.5/10

A typical performance from the Spaniard. He sat back and reduced the space for Bayern defenders to work their way. Apart from shielding his defenders well, he was tidy while moving the ball.

Ivan Rakitic - 7/10

His distribution was really good at times. It was from his pass that Messi scored the second goal of the night. He also worked hard to help his team close down Bayern players.

Andreas Iniesta - 7/10

Iniesta was at the thick of many things Barca did good on the night. His passing was effective, especially the one chip pass to set up Alves was exceptional.

Lionel Messi - 10/10 (Man of the match)

Messi saw a lot of ball in the first half, but was not able to make the most of it with the exception of few great passes. But, he made up for it by scoring twice in the second period to seal the game. He also set up the team’s third goal.

Luis Suarez - 6.5/10

Suarez could have had a hat-trick in the first half if his finishing was good. The one-on-one chance which he missed early in the first half could have proved costly, but Messi made up for him. But, he had a tireless evening as he harrowed the Bayern defenders throughout the night and lead the line well.

Neymar - 7/10

He also had a great chance in the crazy first 15 minutes, but Neymar fluffed the effort from the six yards. When presented with another in the second period through Rakitic, he skied it over. However, he made amends by keeping his composure for the third goal on the night.

Substitutes

Xavi Hernandez (82') - N/A

Hardly any time to make an impact.

Rafinha (87') - N/A

Hardly any time to make an impact.

Marc Bartra (89') - N/A

Hardly any time to make an impact.

Bayern Munich

A dejected Manuel Neuer reflects after the match

Manuel Neuer - 7.5/10

The World Cup winning goalkeeper was at his terrific best as he made great saves from Suarez and Alves in the first half before showing his sweeping skills to get the ball off Neymar's feet in the second period. Unfortunately for him, his defenders let him down and he can’t be blamed for any of the goals.

Rafinha - 5/10

He struggled initially, but as the match wore on, he got more and more involved. But, his influence was minimal and he had a night to forget.

Jerome Boateng - 4/10 (Flop of the Match)

He struggled a lot in the crazy opening period and his positioning was debatable throughout. Having regained his composure after the first 30 minutes, he was the prime recipient of Messi’s ruthlessness in the final 30 minutes.

Mehdi Benatia - 6/10

He defended better than his other defenders. But he, too, was unable to stop Messi show in the second half.

Juan Bernat - 5.5/10

Alves enjoyed great room on his side. He struggled to control Barcelona's influence on his flank. He also went forward regularly, but was not able to put in any decent crosses. It was from his mistake, that Barca scored the first goal.

Philip Lahm - 6.5/10

Lahm saw a lot of ball, but was unable to do much with it. He produced a tireless performance in the middle of the park without any notable contribution. He also struggled to control Barcelona's onslaught.

Xabi Alonso - 6/10

Alonso's passing and distribution were, at times, impressive as many Bayern attacks went through him. But, like his teammates he was suspect defensively.

Thiago Alcantara - 6/10

He was not able to have the same kind of effect he had in the previous rounds. Despite that, the former Barcelona player did not stop there and kept on going until the end without making a notable contribution.

Bastian Schweinsteiger - 5.5/10

The German international tried his best to break Barcelona's resistance, but was not able to make an impact. He, however, closed down his opponents well.

Thomas Muller - 6.5/10

It was a typical performance from the German as he worked tirelessly on the night. He also set up a great opportunity for Lewandowski to open the scoring, but the Pole could not connect with the ball as well as he would have liked.

Robert Lewandowski - 4/10

Lewandowski was anonymous for most parts of the game. When presented with a great opportunity in the first half, he missed a sitter.

Substitutes

Mario Gotze (79') - 5/10

Came on when Barcelona were having fun with the Bavarians and he barely had a touch in the game.