UCL 2017/18: Barcelona 2-0 Sporting CP: Player Ratings

Sporting Lisbon

FC Barcelona v Sporting CP - UEFA Champions League

Rui Patricio: 7/10

The Portuguese No.1 handled Barcelona’s constant waves of attack comfortably. Only conceding 2 goals at the Camp Nou is an achievement in itself, add to that the 25-year-old’s 3 saves and it embodies a quality performance.

Cristiano Piccini: 6/10

The right-sided centre-back saw himself being overloaded by the two Suárez’s and Alcacer throughout the game. As a result, he could only win 33% of his aerial duels.

Sebastian Coates: 6/10

The ex-Liverpool defender did well to keep his former Liverpool teammate Luis Suárez quiet all game. The two had several physical duels, in which Coates came out on top.

Jeremy Mathieu: 4/10

The former Barcelona man looked nervous as he made his return to the Camp Nou. Alcacer basically ran the Frenchman ragged all game, pulling him in different directions with his exceptional movement. His tiresome night was capped off with an embarrassing own goal in the 91st minute, all but securing the match for his former employers.

Marcos Acuna: 6/10

Acuna was actively involved in the few times Sporting did venture past the halfway line. His attacking intent can be seen through the fact he completed 3 dribbles and made a respectable 25 passes.

Stefan Ristovski: 5.5/10

Tasked with being a right wing-back at the Nou Camp, the Macedonian didn’t venture forward enough. The 25-year-old completed 3 tackles and won 2 aerials nonetheless.

Rodrigo Battaglia: 5.5/10

Battaglia did his best to the press the likes of Gomes, Rakitić & Suárez all game, but his tired legs were visible to all as the game went on. The 26-year-old could complete 25 passes in midfield and make 1 tackle.

William Carvalho: 6.5/10

Every midfield has their conductor and on the biggest stage of them all, William Carvalho showed the world why so many European clubs want his signature. The 25-year-old maintained an 86% pass accuracy, through completing 42 passes.

Bruno Fernandes: 5.5/10

Brilliant in flashes, but for the majority of the game, Fernandes was ineffective. The Portuguese team needed their star winger to make things happen, but instead, he faded into oblivion. Even though he completed 3 successful take-ons, Fernandes was dispossessed an inconvenient 4 times.

Bruno Cesar: 5/10

The 29-year-old tried to be an outlet for Sporting on the left flank, but his clear lack of pace posed minimal threat to Nelson Semedo. Cesar was dispossessed once and didn’t create a single chance in the 90 minutes.

Alan Ruiz: 5.5/10

The isolated forward had to keep coming deep to link up with his midfield as Barcelona’s compactness marked him out of the game. Ruiz could only complete 11 passes throughout the match.

Substitutions

Bas Dost: 5/10

The Dutchman is Sporting’s top scorer this season but when called upon, he couldn’t deliver. He had two good chances in the second half but failed to deliver on both of them.

Gelson Martins: 5.5/10

Brought to be an attacking outlet and aid for Dost, Martins tried to run at Digne in the second half but didn’t have much joy in doing so.

Fabio Coentrao: 5.5/10

The Real Madrid loanee was brought on to give Sporting more numbers in attack, but he couldn’t effectively provide the width needed.