Shakhtar: Some ratings

by: John-Reid



Valdes - 7
Didn't have much to do, but did well when he was called on.

Alves - 5
Couldn't really get anything going. None of his crosses worked today and he had multiple misunderstandings with the others.

Pique - 7.5
Very solid in back and even contributed to the attack more than some of the forwards. Valdes would have been tested much more without him.

Puyol - 6
Did his job, but made more errors than expected from the Captain.

Abidal - 7
One of his more convincing games. Shakhtar never got the better of him and he even helped a little in the attack.

Xavi - 3
Completely anonymous. One of the Spaniard's worst games. He lost the ball more this game than any game I ever saw him play.

Toure - 5.5
Not very effective, but showed more of his versatility as he played everywhere from fullback to attacking mid.

Keita - 7
One of the only consistent players of the match. Continuously made solid passes.

Messi - 7.5
Completely absent at first, but got much better as the game progressed and had two good shots, a few good runs, and a great assist towards the end.

Ibrahimovic - 5.5
Showed glimpses of skill, but never really connected with the others. In particular, when he had Henry sprinting foward on the left in the second half.

Henry - 5
He started out better than Messi and Ibra, but quickly declined as by the end none of his passes worked. Tried a few long range shots, but relied more on luck than skill today.

Pedro - 7.5
Added life to the team and played overall well. And, of course, he got the game winning goal.

Bojan - 5
Looked promising, but added little.

Busquets - 5
Nothing noteworthy.