Match Report: Manchester City 1 Barcelona 2

Att: 45,550

Ratings:

Hart: Good save to deny Suarez at 0-1 and though he was self-critical about his penalty save, as it presented a rebound, any penalty save deserves credit. His kicking continues to be inconsistent: 7

Zabaleta: Got caught square on and easily passed early on. Gave Alba too much room to cross for Barcelona’s second goal. He improved to make some good tackles in the second half but was rash to give away the penalty. He didn’t need to make that challenge: 5

Kompany: Unable to read the game like he can in the first half and really struggled. If he had simplified his game cleared the ball Suarez would have not scored the first when he did. Made an excellent tackle on Messi later in the first half and improved in the second thumping one clearance high into the Colin Bell Stand. He has to get his game together: 5

Demichelis: City’s best defender on the night, he made a good early block to deny Messi, but he did surrender possession cheaply in dangerous situations on at least two occasions: 6

Clichy: Skinned and turned rather easily in the first half. Won the ball in the build up to our goal. Harshly yellow carded at least once: 5

Nasri: Had City’s first shot on target but really struggled to get into the game. The 4-4-2 formation and wide starting position didn’t really suit him but it wasn’t his night: 5

Fernando: Too slow and heavy of touch to be an influence in this game. Simply not good enough at this level: 5

Milner: Laboured and struggled as City chased shadows. Didn’t pass the ball well: 5

Silva: Like Nasri he was not suited to the formation and wide starting position, but he got more involved in the second half, coming inside to make the play as the tempo was raised. Improved his set piece distribution as the game progressed to set up two chances, and his clever back heel. : 6

Aguero: Starved of service for much of the game, he created some of his own and went agonisingly close. Was unerring with his accuracy when presented with the chance to score. Deserved better service: 7 (City’s best player)

Dzeko: The pick of City’s players in the first half and he won a few header. He spurned a couple of chances to score: he really should have scored with a header from Silva’s corner: 6

Subs:

Fernandinho (for Nasri 62): Added dynamism some creativity which paid dividends. Why was he not starting?: 7

Bony (for Dzeko 68): Lively but not really given any service: 6

Sagna (for Silva 78): n/a

Best Oppo: Iniesta: An imperious, brilliant, skilful, intelligent hard working talent, who supported his teammates at every opportunity. He worked particularly well with Messi: 9

Reftwatch: Felix Brych (Germany): Failed to referee the game in an even handed way. Why was Mascherano never booked, yet Clichy the recipient of two soft yellows?: 3