Barcelona overcame a resilient Bayer Leverkusen in their UEFA Champions League Round-of-16 first leg with Alexis Sanchez helping out with a brace.
Bayer Leverkusen player ratings:
Bernd Leno (6.5): The shot-stopper was unlucky to concede the goals and was left completely defenceless for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 efforts. He did well to deny Sanchez a hat-trick, in addition to some other saves. He was calm and composed
whenever under pressure belying his tender years.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Schwaab-c10067 (5.5): Received a yellow-card for a reckless challenge on Eric Abidal. The young right-back failed to deal with the pace of Alexis Sanchez but did just enough to save Bayern on several occasions. Schwaab’s
highlight was his block to deny http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296 a shooting opportunity early in the first half.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stefan-Reinartz-c34020 (5.5): The tall defender was employed as the last line of defence in a withdrawn midfield and was kept busy by Barcelona in the second half.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-Friedrich-c23401 (4.5): Had he been alert on the night, the Bayern vice-captain could have prevented Barcelona’s first two goals. Without taking credit away from Messi and Fabregas, his positioning was absolutely woeful
as Alexis rounded him to score the goal.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 and Messi.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gonzalo-Castro-c15105 (7.0): He should be commended for his excellent work rate and the fact that apart from Kadlec’s goal, every Bayern attack ran through him. The defender was unlucky not to add his name to the score-board
with the score at 2-1 in favour of Barcelona. He was denied by an excellent Victor Valdes save. To his credit, he never gave up hope and set-up Kiessling late in the game, but to no avail.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vedran-Corluka-c35947 (6.0): The on-loan player from Tottenham provided the cross for Kadlec’s goal as he tried his best to get the German side forward. He was at hand to restrict Adriano’s influence on the game and made Barcelona
players work for the ball when it was in his area.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Simon-Rolfes-c33564 (5.5): The Bayern captain struggled but failed to have his usual impact on the match. He was substituted late into the game for Kiessling. He should have protected the area from where Cesc provided the second
goal, but he failed to do so. Overall, it was a tiring night for the 30-year-old.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lars-Bender-c21663 (7.0): He was able at hand to break up rival plays and ventured high to apply pressure in the attack. Worked hard in his position and was easily the best Leverkusen player on the pitch.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Renato-Augusto-c30828 (6.5): Silent in the first half but alive after the interval, the Brazilian international was involved in Bayern’s scoring chances. He provided the ball to Corluka for the final cross, and his flick later
in the half gave http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Castro-c8590 a chance to score.
Andre Schurrle (5.5): Deployed as a centre-forward, he looked out of place on the night. Was never a goalscoring threat and was stifled by the Catalan players.
• Substitutes
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stefan-Kießling-c34004 (5.5): Was introduced with 13 minutes remaining and provided an alternative dimension in Leverkusen’s attack. He was unlucky not to score on the night as he tested Valdes with a dangerous header.
Karim Bellarabi (N/A): His 90th minute introduction gave him no time to impress.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Costa-c9458 (N/A): Came on in the final minutes of the match and never had an effect on the play.
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