Champions League - The Final: Player Ratings

Eurosport - Thu, 28 May 12:06:00 2009

We rate the Manchester United and Barcelona players in the Champions League final.

FOOTBALL Andrés Iniesta / Foto EFE - 0

MANCHESTER UNITED

Goalkeeper

1-EDWIN VAN DER SAR (6) Spilled a low cross from Messi but had little chance with either goal.

Defenders

22-JOHN O'SHEA (6) Shackled Thierry Henry in the opening half but left a huge goal which the Frenchman almost exploited shortly after the break.

5-RIO FERDINAND (5) Troubled by injuries recently and nowhere near his best. Not even close to Lionel Messi for the second goal.

15-NEMANJA VIDIC (5) Named Barclays player of the year earlier in the day but was culpable for the first goal with a weak challenge.

3-PATRICE EVRA (5) His aimless clearance allowed Xavi to pick out Messi for the second goal.

Midfielders

16-MICHAEL CARRICK (5) His passing was not even close to its usual standard. Failed to pick out Wayne Rooney in the second-half when he was clear.

11-RYAN GIGGS (6) Did his best to support Cristiano Ronaldo early on but then was switched to the left flank before being moved centrally to help Carrick.

13-PARK JI-SUNG (7) He worked tirelessly against Barcelona captain Carles Puyol and almost opened the scoring early on.

8-ANDERSON (4) Replaced at half-time after an ineffective 45 minutes. Andres Iniesta got past him too easily for the opening goal.

Forwards

10-WAYNE ROONEY (5) Struggled to get in the game on the left wing and was left frustrated throughout by poor service.

7-CRISTIANO RONALDO (6) The World and European Player of the Year had six efforts on goal but became increasingly frustrated in the second-half.

Subs

32-CARLOS TEVEZ (5) Came on at half-time but was another who did not receive quality service. Could be his last match for the club.

9-DIMITAR BERBATOV (5) His languid style has not always impressed United's fans and spurned a decent chance late on to give his side a glimmer.

18-PAUL SCHOLES (5) Most significant impact was a trademark scything challenge on Sergio Busquets that earned him a yellow card.

BARCELONA

Goalkeeper

1-VICTOR VALDES (6) Spilled an early Ronaldo effort but was alert to come off his line and clear danger.

Defenders

5-CARLES PUYOL (7) The shaggy-haired captain is loved by the fans for his passion and commitment. Twice came close to scoring a third.

24-YAYA TOURE (7) Drafted into central defence following the injury to Rafael Marquez and, a wild hack at a Ronaldo cross apart, was solid.

3-GERARD PIQUE (8) Spent three years at Manchester United and produced an assured performances in central defence. Two key blocks.

16-SILVINHO (7) The former Arsenal man was dependable throughout as Barca didn't miss the suspended Eric Abidal one jot.

Midfielders

28-SERGI BUSQUETS (7) Played effectively as a third central defender for much of the second-half. Did his job and let others play.

6-XAVI (8) The creative fulcrum of most of Barca's attacking play and was so close to scoring when he struck the woodwork with a free-kick.

8-ANDRES INIESTA (10) A sublime performance from the diminutive Iniesta. A constant threat with his running at pace and subtle passing.

Forwards

10-LIONEL MESSI (9) Almost as irresistible as Iniesta. Barca's top scorer in Europe, he made it nine goals with a header any old fashioned centre forward would have been proud of.

9-SAMUEL ETO'O (8) A darting run for the opening goal, his electric pace made Vidic look pedestrian.

14-THIERRY HENRY (8) Only just recovered from a knee injury in time for the final, turned Ferdinand inside out early in the second-half only for Van der Sar to deny him.

Subs

15-SEYDOU KEITA (6) Replaced Henry for the last 20 minutes and added some extra bite to midfield.

27-PEDRO RODRIGUEZ (6) Injury-time sub

Lee Walker / Eurosport

Comment 277 - 296 of 336

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  1. Ref to 305, Bcos technicaly mu is away team.... u­ stupid @#$%

    From paulpslow, on Thu 28 May 11:10AM

  2. but why should man u wear white ???? is cheating !!!!

    From obilicash, on Thu 28 May 10:59AM

  3. The best rise to the surface, and Man U sank yesterday.­ Lets watch them descend further and unravel during the­ transfer season. The best is yet to come for their­ demise. /N

    From blankITsolution, on Thu 28 May 10:58AM

  4. i am a united fan, but honestly i must confess that the­ only club in england that can stop Barca is Liverpool,­ because Liverpool knows how to deal with any spanish­ club and they play good and attacking football, fast­ and quick, unlike man u.

    From obilicash, on Thu 28 May 10:58AM

  5. van der sar couldnt do anything for either goal? beat­ at near post with a soft shot for 1st would say­ otherwise.

    From yip, on Thu 28 May 10:58AM

  6. calland, I agree with the world club cup championship­ partially.
    I think that the best team in europe is the­ best team in the world, as australisa and south­ american league teams are poor (all the good south­ americans play in europe).
    Liverpool played well for­ half a game in 2005 and 2007 they did not play well,­ because they lost.

    From Joseph, on Thu 28 May 10:56AM

  7. Man-u deserved to lose, I'm glad in fact delighted.­ They have become very smug in the last few years and ­ rely on the fact that they have huge sponsors, a club­ with money etc. Lets see what next season brings as­ Liverpool get tigther, Man City are on a campaign trail­ etc. Not displaying my club loyalties, but I'­ definitely do not like Man U. Over rated boring rubbish­ --- even worse to watch than Arsenal -- and that's­ bad. /N

    From blankITsolution, on Thu 28 May 10:55AM

  8. oh sut you mouth!!!:P

    From Marzia, on Thu 28 May 10:47AM

  9. barcellona was the best but not best like ac milan

    From Marzia, on Thu 28 May 10:47AM

  10. JJRED20 - Are you sure that RED isn't the colour of­ your face after Messi nodded in the 2nd and 20 your IQ?

    From xile2k5, on Thu 28 May 10:47AM

  11. Yeah,jjred20 but Liverpool played the better football­ over the game of the two teams,playing even better than­ when winning in 2005.Utd were never in game after­ conceding and were fortunate to concede only two.If the­ mighty 'World Club Championsip' needed berating­ anymore,it's been done.

    From RED7, on Thu 28 May 10:46AM

  12. Yeah,jjred20 but Liverpool played the better football­ over the game of the two teams,playing even better than­ when winning in 2005.Utd were never in game after­ conceding and were fortunate to concede only two.If the­ mighty 'World Club Championsip' needed berating­ anymore,it's been done.

    From RED7, on Thu 28 May 10:42AM

  13. The British press should be advised to stop overating­ their players and premiership for the laliga and­ players are better by no comparison. Rooney is no­ nearer eto'o, henry, messi, inniesta, xavi or even­ tevez and berbatov. Man u win the premiership because­ of poor refering as benitez said. Liverpool, chelsea­ and liverpool clubs win games fairly.I hope the press­ will take note of their poor analysis...faking people­ into believing their lie...poor you.

    From Martin S, on Thu 28 May 10:41AM

  14. PARK - 7 - LOL!

    From Bobo S, on Thu 28 May 10:40AM

  15. yo @#$% man utd lost :D:D:D:D

    From Osman, on Thu 28 May 10:37AM

  16. xile 2K5 from your name........
    You only have 5k in the­ bank? Wow, your loaded for a scouser.
    Also, your not a­ glory hunter? so Liverpool are shi* then?
    And if your­ older.....round about the time liverpool were actually­ winnin things....then does that not make you a glory­ hunter?
    2 words for you - OUT SMARTED.
    And another­ for good measure - IDIOT.

    From Joseph, on Thu 28 May 10:37AM

  17. xile whattever your name is, true I made a mistake. i­ also said, as you were reading my post so intently,­ that I said list man utds achievements too. You missed­ that part. I wonder why.
    And my name....jj is a­ nickname, red is my favourite colour (for obvious­ reasons) and 20....is the shirt number I used to wear­ when i played for my uni football team.
    So, no cigar­ sherlock.

    From Joseph, on Thu 28 May 10:33AM

  18. We are neatral footie fans and we enjoyed the game­ because some fine football was played, sadly not by a­ British team but by a wonderful Spanish team but it­ didnt matter to us who won, we just wanted to see agood­ game. I think Man United could have played better. Im­ sorry Mr Ronaldo is thinking of jumping ship, but he­ isnt the only fine player Man U have , i think they­ will manage without him.

    From Jane P, on Thu 28 May 10:26AM

  19. how sad - after reaching CL final, all ManU fans can­ talk about is Liverpool
    i beleive that's reffered­ to as an "inferiority complex"

    From ffogil, on Thu 28 May 10:26AM

  20. jjred20 - wrong facts
    United and Liverpool both have 18­ league championships.

    From Gwapito.com, on Thu 28 May 10:23AM
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