Barcelona are champions of Europe after a 2-0 win over Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico. Goal.com rates the players on show...BARCELONA
Valdes -7.0: Did not have too much to do during the game, but did produce a fine save from Ronaldo at 2-0.
Puyol -7.5: Switched to right-back in place of the suspended Dani Alves and, despite the odd diagonal ball over his shoulder, was rarely troubled. Almost grabbed a third.
Pique -7.5: A few sloppy moments, but made two vital challenges on Park and Rooney to prevent almost-certain goals. Showed real heart did Pique.
Toure -7.0: What Toure lacked with his positioning, he made up for with strength and pace. After a tricky first 20 minutes against Ronaldo, he grew to have a solid match in his emergency centre-back role.
Sylvinho -7.0: Another second-choice defender who filled in admirably. The 35-year-old only allowed Rooney to get in behind him on one occasion. Also supported well going forward.
Busquets -7.0: Guardiola opted for the youngster ahead of Keita, and he did him proud. Nothing flashy, held his position tactically, and gave the ball to Xavi and Iniesta to do all the damage.
Xavi -9.0: A genius. Xavi is quite simply the best playmaker in world football. Ran the game from the 25th minute onwards, assisted Messi's goal, created Henry and Puyol's one-on-one chances, hit the post with a free kick, and did so much more.
Iniesta -9.0: Started tentatively, but soon dominated the game along with partner in crime Xavi. Provided the pass for Eto'o goal, embarked on numerous dizzy runs, and was unplayable for long stretches.
Messi -7.5: Not at his brilliant best, but had his moments and most importantly scored the killer second - his first against English opposition, and a rare headed goal.
Eto'o -7.5: Gave Vidic and Ferdinand constant headaches with his running. Scored the first goal by outfoxing the Serbian centre-back, and linked up well with Messi, Iniesta and Xavi.
Henry -6.5: Clearly not fully fit, but could have got onto the scoresheet when he tricked Ferdinand on 50 minutes and saw his one-on-one saved by van der Sar. Finally gets his hands on the Champions League trophy.
Subs
Keita 6.5: Tightened up the midfield after coming on for Henry at 2-0.
Pedro - N/V: Came on in injury time.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Van der Sar -8.0: Man Utd could have conceded four or five tonight were it not for van der Sar, who denied both Henry and Puyol from one-on-one situations.
O'Shea -6.0: Left his side open on a few occasions, but, all in all, did not disgrace himself. Henry only penetrated down the left on one occasion just after half time.
Vidic -4.5: Won the Player of the Year award earlier today, but had a very poor game. Schoolboy defending to allow Eto'o to cut inside for the first goal, and was ill at ease for the entire 90 minutes.
Ferdinand -5.0: Was not helped at all by his partner Vidic, and was sound for most of the game. However he was at fault in some big moments, losing Messi for the second goal and also being taken on by Henry for a big chance.
Evra -6.5: One-on-one against Messi, Evra generally limited the Argentine, causing him to move inside. He allowed Puyol to get in behind him late on, even if this was more down to United chasing the game.
Carrick -5.0: Failed in his job of protecting the United defence, but what was to be expected when Sir Alex Ferguson left him all alone against Xavi and Iniesta? Allowed the former to go for the Eto'o goal, and had no answer to the Spanish midfield duo.
Anderson -5.0: Has been criminally under-rated this season, but this time he really does deserve the criticism that comes his way. Was second best for the entire first half. Hooked at the break, even if United were worse after he came off.
Giggs -4.5: Another Player of the Year who was well under-par. Made no impact whatsoever on the game, and did not seem to have a position on the field. Just where was Giggs playing?
Park -5.0: Became the first Asian player in history to play in a Champions League final, but could not celebrate this landmark. Worked hard, but provided very little quality. Could have scored within 60 seconds, but was denied by Pique.
Ronaldo -7.0: Outstanding during the first 20 minutes, unleashing a host of efforts at goal. However, when Xavi and Iniesta took control of the midfield, he disappeared a little. Missed United's best chance just after Messi's second.
Rooney -5.5: Just could not get into the game at all, which is a shame as he deserved to shine after such a brilliant season. Difficult to think of a single moment when Rooney threatened the Barcelona defence.
Subs
Tevez 5.5: Replaced Anderson, but this damaged United's shape. Bad substitution by Ferguson.
Berbatov -5.5: Made no impact at all.
Scholes - 5.5: The game had slipped away when Scholes entered the fray.
http://goal.com/en-us/news/174/uefa-champions-league/2009/05/27/1290112/player-ratings-barcelona-2-0-manchester-united
Valdes -7.0: Did not have too much to do during the game, but did produce a fine save from Ronaldo at 2-0.
Puyol -7.5: Switched to right-back in place of the suspended Dani Alves and, despite the odd diagonal ball over his shoulder, was rarely troubled. Almost grabbed a third.
Pique -7.5: A few sloppy moments, but made two vital challenges on Park and Rooney to prevent almost-certain goals. Showed real heart did Pique.
Toure -7.0: What Toure lacked with his positioning, he made up for with strength and pace. After a tricky first 20 minutes against Ronaldo, he grew to have a solid match in his emergency centre-back role.
Sylvinho -7.0: Another second-choice defender who filled in admirably. The 35-year-old only allowed Rooney to get in behind him on one occasion. Also supported well going forward.
Busquets -7.0: Guardiola opted for the youngster ahead of Keita, and he did him proud. Nothing flashy, held his position tactically, and gave the ball to Xavi and Iniesta to do all the damage.
Xavi -9.0: A genius. Xavi is quite simply the best playmaker in world football. Ran the game from the 25th minute onwards, assisted Messi's goal, created Henry and Puyol's one-on-one chances, hit the post with a free kick, and did so much more.
Iniesta -9.0: Started tentatively, but soon dominated the game along with partner in crime Xavi. Provided the pass for Eto'o goal, embarked on numerous dizzy runs, and was unplayable for long stretches.
Messi -7.5: Not at his brilliant best, but had his moments and most importantly scored the killer second - his first against English opposition, and a rare headed goal.
Eto'o -7.5: Gave Vidic and Ferdinand constant headaches with his running. Scored the first goal by outfoxing the Serbian centre-back, and linked up well with Messi, Iniesta and Xavi.
Henry -6.5: Clearly not fully fit, but could have got onto the scoresheet when he tricked Ferdinand on 50 minutes and saw his one-on-one saved by van der Sar. Finally gets his hands on the Champions League trophy.
Subs
Keita 6.5: Tightened up the midfield after coming on for Henry at 2-0.
Pedro - N/V: Came on in injury time.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Van der Sar -8.0: Man Utd could have conceded four or five tonight were it not for van der Sar, who denied both Henry and Puyol from one-on-one situations.
O'Shea -6.0: Left his side open on a few occasions, but, all in all, did not disgrace himself. Henry only penetrated down the left on one occasion just after half time.
Vidic -4.5: Won the Player of the Year award earlier today, but had a very poor game. Schoolboy defending to allow Eto'o to cut inside for the first goal, and was ill at ease for the entire 90 minutes.
Ferdinand -5.0: Was not helped at all by his partner Vidic, and was sound for most of the game. However he was at fault in some big moments, losing Messi for the second goal and also being taken on by Henry for a big chance.
Evra -6.5: One-on-one against Messi, Evra generally limited the Argentine, causing him to move inside. He allowed Puyol to get in behind him late on, even if this was more down to United chasing the game.
Carrick -5.0: Failed in his job of protecting the United defence, but what was to be expected when Sir Alex Ferguson left him all alone against Xavi and Iniesta? Allowed the former to go for the Eto'o goal, and had no answer to the Spanish midfield duo.
Anderson -5.0: Has been criminally under-rated this season, but this time he really does deserve the criticism that comes his way. Was second best for the entire first half. Hooked at the break, even if United were worse after he came off.
Giggs -4.5: Another Player of the Year who was well under-par. Made no impact whatsoever on the game, and did not seem to have a position on the field. Just where was Giggs playing?
Park -5.0: Became the first Asian player in history to play in a Champions League final, but could not celebrate this landmark. Worked hard, but provided very little quality. Could have scored within 60 seconds, but was denied by Pique.
Ronaldo -7.0: Outstanding during the first 20 minutes, unleashing a host of efforts at goal. However, when Xavi and Iniesta took control of the midfield, he disappeared a little. Missed United's best chance just after Messi's second.
Rooney -5.5: Just could not get into the game at all, which is a shame as he deserved to shine after such a brilliant season. Difficult to think of a single moment when Rooney threatened the Barcelona defence.
Subs
Tevez 5.5: Replaced Anderson, but this damaged United's shape. Bad substitution by Ferguson.
Berbatov -5.5: Made no impact at all.
Scholes - 5.5: The game had slipped away when Scholes entered the fray.
http://goal.com/en-us/news/174/uefa-champions-league/2009/05/27/1290112/player-ratings-barcelona-2-0-manchester-united
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