Lionel Messi ensured Barcelona returned to Spain with an away goal, as the Blues drew 1-1 with the La Amiga side. After hitting the post on two occasions, Willian opened the scoring for Chelsea with a superb effort. The lead lasted around 13 minutes, however, after Andreas Christensen‘s poor pass led to Andres Iniesta setting up the Argentine for Barcelona’s equaliser. Antonio Conte’s side will have to get a result at the Nou Camp in around three weeks time in order to progress in the Champions League. Here’s how the Chelsea players rated last night:
Thibaut Courtois – 6
Had relatively little to do during the game. Alert enough to see Luis Suarez’s effort wide, and was unable to do anything about Messi’s strike. The Belgian might feel disappointed that he didn’t keep a clean sheet.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7
Lead the line brilliantly and captained the side in Gary Cahill’s absence. He was great in the back three, as he usually is.
Andreas Christensen – 6
Not the greatest of evenings for the Dane. Usually so calm and good on the ball, he struggled. His loose ball led to the equaliser, and looked nervy up against Barcelona’s formidable attacking talent.
Antonio Rudiger – 6
He looked calm on the ball, and made a number of cross field balls which came off perfectly. A tough night against the likes of Messi and Suarez, but the German coped well.
Victor Moses – 6
Up against Jordi Alba, Moses’ night was never going to be an easy one. Despite that, he held his own against the Spaniard and kept him quiet.
Cesc Fabregas – 6
Not the game he would’ve wanted against his former side. Usually so good with his passing, Fabregas never seemed to deliver that final pass that Chelsea desperately needed.
N’Golo Kante – 7
Showed great energy and enthusiasm against a brilliant Barcelona midfield. The away side had the majority of the possession, but the Frenchman’s interceptions were key to launching potential counter attacks.
Marcos Alonso – 6
The Blues definitely look a better team with Alonso in the side. Always an option on the left, the Spaniard made his runs well and had a decent evening.
Pedro – 6
Also up against his former side, Pedro was also rather quiet. Full of running and energy to close down the Barcelona defence, the Spaniard never really threatened them in the attacking third.
Eden Hazard – 6
Starting as the false nine once again, despite having both Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud on the bench. Hazard was quite subdued last night, but did come close with a volley in the first half.
Willian – 8
Chelsea’s star man by an absolute mile. He struck both posts in the first half, before finally scoring at the third time of asking in the second. Brilliant from the Brazilian, who could’ve had a hat-trick.
Substitutes
Alvaro Morata – 6
Brought on with around 10 minutes to go, the striker didn’t really make an impact on the game apart from getting booked for dissent.
Danny Drinkwater – N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.