Barcelona’s miserable run in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League continues as the Catalans were humbled 1-4 at the Camp Nou by Paris Saint-Germain. Kylian Mbappe has seemingly performed brilliantly in his Real Madrid ‘audition’, with a hattrick against the Ronald Koeman managed Barcelona side.
Lionel Messi initially put Barcelona ahead in the tie when Frenkie de Jong won a penalty. However, what followed after was the humiliation of the highest order with the Paris Saint-Germain players pushing forward in numbers on each possible occasion until the game’s final whistle. Kean also got himself on the scoresheet as he cut loose from Clement Lenglet in the build-up to the third goal.
Ronald Koeman’s decision of rushing Pique into the team did not seem to make sense at the end of the ninety minutes, and it is high time that Barcelona troubleshoots their problems at the back. Here’s how the Cules rated in their defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona Player Ratings Against Paris Saint-Germain
Barcelona Player Ratings Against Paris Saint-Germain
GK: Marc Andre Ter Stegen – 7/10
Courtesy of the efforts of Ter Stegen, Barcelona’s embarrassment for the night was curtailed to four goals. The goalie was majorly let down by his defensive troops.
RB: Sergino Dest – 7/10
Not one of the best nights for Dest at the right-back spot as he struggled against Kylian Mbappe. Nevertheless, his performance was satisfactory, and he made way for Oscar Mingueza in the second half.
CB: Gerard Pique – 6/10
Gerard Pique had a night to forget on his return from injury. The Spaniard was evidently lacking match-fitness and could barely cope with the pace of the game. It did not seem like a wise decision from Ronald Koeman to rush Pique into the mix. Pique made way for Riqui Puig in the second half.
CB: Clement Lenglet – 6/10
Absolutely miserable night for Lenglet who was all over the place at the back. Courtesy to Lenglet, Paris Saint-Germain were able to score their third goal of the night. The defender completely lost his marker, Kean, who was quick to pounce and score.
LB: Jordi Alba – 7/10
The defender toiled hard down the left-hand side, but his efforts did not yield any results. Alba seemed to be out of position in defence on a couple of occasions.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – 7/10
One of the bright performers for Barcelona in the evening. De Jong won the penalty in the first half which Lionel Messi converted from the spot.
CM: Sergio Busquets – 7/10
Busquets went about his business as usual, but his teammates did not seem to be supporting his efforts. The Spaniard was replaced in the second half by Miralem Pjanic.
CM: Pedri – 7/10
Not a pleasant night for Pedri who barely had any sort of impact on the match. A lot more was expected out of the youngster on the night.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – 7/10
Dembele was industrious down the right flank but failed to leave a mark on the pitch. Dembele found it hard to get past the PSG backline, and even when he did manage to, he was immediately closed down.
ST: Lionel Messi – 7/10
Messi put his side in the front with a goal from the penalty spot but seemed to gradually fade away from the game henceforth. Messi has a mountain to climb with his teammates in the second leg of the fixture with Paris Saint-Germain.
LW: Antoine Griezmann – 6/10
Griezmann tried to get things going down the left-hand side, but it did not really seem to work for him on the night. Griezmann had a poor evening in all honesty. The Frenchman made way for Martin Braithwaite in the closing moments of the game.
Substitutes
RB: Oscar Mingueza – 6/10
Mingueza did a decent job replacing Dest at the right-back slot.
ST: Fransisco Trincao – 6/10
Showed a few glimpses of his ball control and ran through the centre. However, it was too little and definitely too late for the Catalans.
CM: Riqui Puig – NA
Puig replaced Pique and did not have much involvement with play post his introduction.
CM: Miralem Pjanic – NA
Did not have much involvement with play post his introduction.
ST: Martin Braithwaite – NA
Did not have much involvement with play post his introduction in the 85th minute.
