Barcelona’s road in the UEFA Champions League for the 2020/21 season has come to an end following their 5-2 aggregate defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. The Catalans were held to a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe being on the score-sheet.
Ronald Koeman’s tactics didn’t have the desired effect, and it was hard to understand the gaffer’s decision of letting Dembele have 78 odd minutes against the French giants. The visitors were a dominant force in the first half but failed to tuck away their chances. Mbappe opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a Clement Lenglet error.
Lionel Messi later missed a penalty in the first half, and that pretty much summed up the Catalans night in Paris. Keylor Navas made an unconventional save to keep his team alive in the match, with the scoreline being at 1-0. Here’s how Barcelona rated in their 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona Player Ratings Against PSG
GK: Marc Andre Ter Stegen – 7/10
The German goalie could have done very little about the penalty. Ter Stegen was largely untested on the night.
RB: Sergino Dest – 7/10
An impressive performance from Dest down the right-hand side. The player showed great determination and fought until he stayed on the field of play. Francisco Trincao came on to replace Dest around the hour mark.
CB: Oscar Mingueza – 6/10
The defender was having a poor night against Kylian Mbappe, and Koeman had to make a change very early in the game. Mingueza had even picked up a caution for his troubles. Junior Firpo came on to replace Mingueza.
CB: Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
Started the game in defence and seemed to be doing a decent job. In the second half, de Jong was seen in advanced positions on the pitch.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 6/10
Lenglet was a bit unlucky to concede the penalty; however, it didn’t really affect Barcelona’s eventual result in the match.
LB: Jordi Alba – 7/10
The fullback toiled across the length of the pitch but missed a vital chance on the other end of the pitch.
CM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10
Busquets was top-notch in midfield and barely kept a foot wrong all night. Busquets even seemed to have his shooting boots on as he drew a block out of Keylor Navas in the second half of the game. Ronald Koeman brought on Ilaix Moriba in the closing moments of the game.
CM: Pedri – 7/10
The youngster showed great intent during the course of the match, but it did not seem to materialise for the Catalans in front of the Parisian’s goal. Miralem Pjanic came on to replace Pedri in the closing moments of the second half.
CAM : Antoine Griezmann – 7/10
The Frenchman tried to work his way into things, but it did not seem to be working out. Griezmann did create a few dangerous chances but in vain.
ST: Lionel Messi – 8/10
The Argentine scored an absolutely sensational goal in the first half which would be difficult to keep out for any goalie with the amount it was dipping and swirling. He later missed a penalty which could have changed the momentum of the tie had it gone in.
ST: Ousmane Dembele – 6/10
The Frenchman was lousy in possession of the ball. He failed to make the most of the chances at his disposal and was finally taken off by Ronald Koeman. Martin Braithwaite came to replace Dembele in the 79th minute of the match.
Substitutes
CB: Junior Firpo – 7/10
Firpo had a satisfactory evening in defence and seemed to make the most of the minutes that came by his way.
ST: Francisco Trincão – 6/10
Trincao showed great positive intent post his introduction and even delivered a few dangerous balls into the box.
CM: Miralem Pjanic – NA
ST: Martin Braithwaite – NA
CM: Ilaix Moriba – NA
