Barca - Celtic, Match Report and Player Ratings

Source of the pic: bleacherreport.com

FC Barcelona defeated Scottish champions Celtic in a hard game at the Camp Nou. Barca now top Group G with 9 points and the Blaugrana is very close in qualifying in to the knock-out round in the Champions League 2012-2013.


We demanded yesterday and Tito delivered. He finally started the young defender Marc Bartra and a bit surprisingly played Adriano at the right back position ahead of Montoya. Pedro and Sanchez also returned in first team action instead of Cesc and Tello.

It was Alexis who had the first chance. Iniesta enabled him a perfect one on one situation with a tricky pass but Sanchez managed to blow the opportunity away. Also Bartra had a beautiful opportunity which was saved by today unbelievable Forster.

We feared that we are going to suffer from the free kicks, and this thing unfortunately happened. In the 17th minute Macherano scored an own goal from the free kick by Mulgrew. From then on Celtic defended very well until 45th minute when Messi, Xavi and Iniesta played a world class combination of passes which ended with a nicely taken goal by Don Andres.

In the second half Forster was magnificent. He pulled 2 world class from 2 Messi shots and reacted pretty well on the shot by Alexis. Villa hit the post in 90th minute and we all thought that it is over. But in the last minute, and the last attack, Adriano played nicely curved long ball to the fast Jordi Alba who scored the winner.

Player Ratings:

Victor Valdes 6 - Quiet evening for the Spanish international. There was nothing he could do for the Mascherano's goal and other than that he didn't have any problems.

Jordi Alba 7,5 - Jordi is on form. Possessed the left side. Threatened often down the left flank as his side had over 80% possession of the ball. Scored the dying minute winner with a super fast reaction.

Marc Bartra 6,5 - The center back Barca needed. Gave assurance at the back and offered options in free kicks with his height and jumping abilities. Almost scored with a header which Forster saved. Tito should give him more playing minutes.

Xavier Mascherano 5,5 - He was rarely troubled by the Celtic defense but he looked shaky today. Scored an unlucky own goal. 

Adriano 6,5 - Offered a lot of attacking options down the right flank but didn't do much effective work until the last minute of the game when he set up Jordi Alba for the winner. Was untroubled at the back.

Alex Song 7,0 - Song returned to his position as defensive midfielder and he did his job well. Cut many passes and recovered many balls. He even had chance to score in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Xavi 7,0 - Mastered the midfield as usual with his precise and vision passing. Assisted Iniesta for the goal with a masterful one touch pass.

Iniesta 7,5 - Don Andres played a quality game. The vision and precision that he showed for the pass to Alexis was trademark Iniesta. On the other side, the goal showed his exceptional ball control and technique.

Alexis Sanchez 6 - Alexis played a good game but his finishing was questionable, again. He played aggressive but didn't do anything effective. Missed a one on one sitter in the starting minutes.

Pedro 6 - Troubled Izaguirre for all the time he was on the field but didn't have any clear chance. Was replaced by Tello after he didn't offer any real treat for the Celtic defense.

Messi 7 - Played sweet long ball that created Bartra's chance and before the half time started the action that led to Iniesta goal. Tried to brake Celtic defense but had a rough night. Missed 2 sitters as Forster denied him with 2 world class saves.

Subs:

Villa 6 - Villa replaced Alexis, and could've scored the winner as he hit the post in the last minute of the game.

Tello 6 - Replaced Pedro and started the action for the winning goal.