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FC Barcelona visited Sporting CP for their second match of the Champions League group stage after a resounding 3-0 win against Juventus in the opening fixture. Barcelona dominated the possession early on and started well, but couldn't get past the Lisbon defence in the first half as the score remained 0-0.
The second half too, like the first half, didn't have too many goals. Barcelona took their foot off the gas after Sebastian Coates unknowingly deflected the ball into his own net to give the away side the lead. The Catalans now top their group in UCL and are yet to drop a point in the season.
Here, let’s take a look at how the players fared for both the teams.
Sporting CP
Rui Patricio: 7.5/10
Quite an amazing outing just like his opposite number. Pulled off a few saves, including a fantastic stop off a late Paulinho shot after being exposed one-v-one vs him.
Cristiano Piccini: 6/10
Piccini had a decent outing. He did struggle initially against Jordi Alba's pace but grew comfortable as the match wore on. He fared better than a lot of his teammates whenever he ventured up the field.
Coates: 6.5/10
The centre-back was solid for the most part of the game. However, he would be disappointed to have scored an unlucky own goal, which he could have done nothing about.
Mathieu: 7.5/10
Out against his former team with a point to prove, he put in a stellar shift. He never allowed Barcelona attackers much space and put in important tackles.
Coentrao: 5/10
Disappointing night for the fullback against a familiar foe. He was run ragged by Roberto and Semedo throughout the match. In attack too his contribution was almost next to nothing.
Carvalho: 6/10
The Portuguese international had a mixed bag of a game. He shielded his defence well and won a few odd challenges but could not open up play wide much as his team struggled to create chances.
Battaglia: 6.5/10
Battaglia had a decent game. Though he was not much influential in possession, just like his partner in the double pivot, Carvalho, he made sure to make up to that with astute defensive performance in the middle of the park.
Gelson Martins: 4/10
The winger was wasteful, unimaginative and regressive in possession. He could not get better off Jordi Alba once. His performance left a lot to be desired.
Bruno: 5/10
Just like other attackers for Sporting CP, Bruno Fernandez too disappointed a lot. He could not create any clear cut chance for his team and missed a great opportunity to level late in the game when his shot was saved by Ter Stegen.
Acuna: 4.5/10
Acuna too, like Gelson was absolutely wasteful. He was kept well under the wraps by Semedo and on the few occasions whenever he did wriggle free off him, his deliveries were poor.
Doumbia: 4/10
Doumbia was absolutely anonymous during the time he was on the pitch. He had to be taken off in the first half due to injury.
Substitutes
Bas Dost: 5.5/10
The service to the tall Dutch striker was poor as he struggled to make his mark on the game. He did win his fair share of aerial duels to get his team going.
Bruno Cesar: 5/10
On for Acuna, the veteran Brazilian did not fare any better as he lacked any cutting edge to make a difference.
J. Silva: 5.5/10
On for Coentrao, he did not make quite a mark on the game. However, he did keep things simple and moving.
Barcelona
Ter Stegen: 7.5/10
The German International was a standout performer in goal last night. This week he will be getting points mostly for his distribution. He was not tested much barring one moment when he denied Fernandez one-on-one in the dying moments of the match. He did make a few routine saves.
Pique: 7/10
Pique had a good game as he dominated and won everything that came his way in the air. He won headers, made blocks and clearances and was a calm head in the heart of the Barca defence.
Semedo: 7/10
Back in his right-back role after being rested in Liga, he produced an amazing performance. He did make a couple of penetrating runs in the attack along with recycling the ball well. In defence, he was solid and never allowed Acuna to cut in or put in a cross.
Umtiti: 7/10
The Frenchman, alongside Gerard Pique, had one of the easier games of his career. Always aggressive and willing to get into a tackle, he kept Sporting's attack at bay and never looked threatened.
Alba: 7.5/10
After a disappointing last season, the diminutive Spaniard seems to be hitting top form. He ran up and down the field and was defensively solid, never conceding even an inch of space to Gelson.
Busquets: 7/10
Another typical Busquets performance. He shielded the back four, broke up play and acted like a deep-lying playmaker. He should be looking forward to a great season.
Iniesta: 8/10
The World Cup winner looked sharp and dictated things for Barcelona from the midfield. His turns and touches were delightful to watch and suggest that he may have a few years worth of top-level football in his tank.
Rakitic: 7/10
The Croat was a willing runner in the midfield. He covered for his fullbacks and then contributed going forward as well. He looks to be getting back to his best after a below-par last season.
Roberto: 7.5/10
Starting as a right winger, Roberto was almost unplayable in the first half. He dribbled past players for fun, his passing was immaculate and his link-up play great as he floated around the pitch.
Suarez: 6/10
The Uruguayan striker is having a quite poor 2017. Last night was no different. He did work hard for his team and linked well with his teammates but lacked any cutting edge which he is famous for. He did force the Sebastian Coates' own goal.
Messi: 6.5/10
Just like the last Liga game, Messi failed to exert any sort of control on the match. Although he did try a lot, the end product just wasn't there. Will be looking to bounce back again.
Substitutes
Paulinho: 6/10
Came on late in the game and helped retain possession as well as defend.
Gomes: N/A
Vidal: N/A
