Chelsea vs. Barcelona: Rating the Chelsea Players in the 1-0 Upset Victory

The Chelsea players left the wet soggy field of Stamford Bridge Tuesday night to the cheers of tens of thousands who witnessed the club’s impressive 1-0 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League semifinal.

It was a brilliant display by everyone in blue who worked together as an efficient unit willing to concede possession and rely one what is establishing itself as one of the better defenses in the world. Anyone who can hold Messi and co. at bay for 90 minutes is deserving of such a consideration.

It is nearly impossible to judge the players today on an individual level as it was their teamwork that got them the victory more than anything. But grades they will receive and as you can probably assume, most will be rather high.

Here are the player grades for the boys in blue.

Petr Cech: A

It has become a customary practice to decorate this legend with such a distinction. He was perfect in net today, repelling every single shot that came his way, being called on a handful of times to make saves. Not having to do much in the air, the few crosses that came in, he dealt with nicely.

His biggest contribution may have his reputation. It did not fall of deaf ears to the Barca players that something special is needed to beat Cech. Some of the goals they get past inferior keepers would have been handled easily by Chelsea’s keeper.

Believe it or not, but he may even have made Barcelona overthink their play.

Branislav Ivanovic: B+

Ivanovic was in charge of a tough role, the last line of defense, isolated on a side without much help. Juan Mata was the only other player playing out wide on the right and is not exactly known for his defensive duties. However, the Serbian stepped up big on more than one occasion.

It was quite obvious that Chelsea knew that Barca posed little threat from the outside. Ivanovic was forced to stay central and had to keep himself from biting too hard on any balls down the flank. His staying in the middle paid off in two blocked shots.

Gary Cahill: A

I will be the first to admit that Cahill starting made me a bit nervous. Not necessarily because he was not deserving, but rather David Luiz has been so good as of late. Thought today I am a bit glad the decision was not up for debate as Luiz was forced out with injury.

Cahill played like a man on a mission to prove that English football can still matter. He was rough, stringent and strong in his tackles, executing each to perfection as anything else would have surely cost the team.

His incredible three blocked shots were huge in the result and he played the game plan perfectly, making five clearances. If Luiz is fit for the next match, Di Matteo will have a difficult choice ahead of him.

John Terry: A+

You cannot say enough good things about John Terry as he has firmly established himself as Barcelona’s arch nemesis. Perhaps someone else can, but there is not one single player I can recall that has caused arguably the best attack of all time so much stress.

He is the perfect combination of physical and technical, always in the right position and never getting beat by any Barcelona players. He walls up the Chelsea box and slams the door shut as Messi tries to dance his way inside.

But what he does better than anyone is keep the side calm.

Barca likes to build pressure and siege a backline, causing an eventual rupture and the loss of all hope. Terry keeps everyone strong and poised, like the general of Troy, but never falling for the wooden horse tricks Messi and co. like to play.

Ashley Cole: B

The usually reliable left-back seemed to struggle at times tonight. He loves to play out wide and, unlike Ivanovic who resisted the urge to chase, Cole often went out there leaving the middle exposed.

Is biggest problem on the night though was what has been an issue all season—his approach when he is beat. He often becomes overly physical and begins to lunge into players brashly. He did not do too much of that tonight, but you can see it boiling up in his eyes.

Ultimately he was a part of a defense that shut out Barcelona and that is all that he will be remembered for.

John Obi Mikel: A-

I originally wrote a time back that Mikel should get the start against Barcelona and I am glad my wishes came true. He was on par for the day, recognizing his role to shut down anyone who came through the middle and made it difficult for them to get a head of steam.

He is not very good on the ball and his touch makes you think he is wearing cement boots, but that is not why he is in there. His physicality through the middle may not have been what kept Barca out of the net, but it certainly disrupted the flow of a team that relies on that flow to mount an offensive.

Frank Lampard: A+

I finally hope the naysayers can rest their tongues because Lampard’s performance tonight was nothing short of perfect.

For those who think because he did not play well because he was invisible for long stretches, mind you he was not in an advanced role. He was asked to sit right in front of the defense and cover back, which he did exceptionally.

So good in fact he stole the ball from Messi and delivered an excellent cross-field pass which led to a goal. I think he is the only player who can ever say they have done all of that in one play.

Raul Meireles: C

For all the good Chelsea did today, there was one player they could have done without. Meireles was exceedingly bad in the attacking role, giving away possession far too often. His passing percentage was the second lowest on the team at 67 percent.

He did have four interceptions through the midfield that of course helped out, but you would have hoped he could have done more with those. Instead he gave the ball right back and let pressure come again.

Juan Mata: B-

It may be the first time all season that Juan Mata was the worst player on the field today, but there is little arguing that he was not. This is not as much a knock on him as it was a game plan that in no way suits his style. The defense-first mentality and little help he got in the attack left him out to dry more often than not.

With that said, he was the right choice to start. You would hope that he would be able to find one spark of brilliance and figure a way to get Chelsea a goal. However that never came and his substitution was a good tactical move more than anything.

Ramires: A

The speedy Brazilian was the idea player to make the start today. Di Matteo could only hope his legs would someone get Chelsea a goal out of nothing and boy did they ever. Taking advantage of Messi losing the ball, he immediately sprinted down the flank and Lamps found him.

His cross may have been a mishit more than anything, but few will argue that it was the right one.

On the other end he was as resolute as ever in the midfield, tracking back and being a constant pest to the Barca players. He also kept the scum of Dani Alves honest as his bravado in the attack is what let Ramires create his assist.

Boy that one felt good, huh Alves?

Didier Drogba: A+

There is little you can say about what this man brings to the table. His size, speed, heart and maybe a bit of acting was on display as he is beyond legend now at Stamford Bridge. The debate of whom to play up top came out in favor of Di Matteo as even Torres could not be upset with the decision.

Drogba’s goal was the least of his contributions. He kept a back line that likes to creep forward honest and was able to hold the ball up just long enough to give his defense a rest, probably the sole reason it was so good.

He just like every Chelsea player seems to have found a second life under Di Matteo and are peaking at the exact right time.

Salomon Kalou (74^th minute for Mata): N/A

Not much time, but had one chance when Drogba played him through. Unfortunately it was a bit too far ahead of him.

Jose Bosingwa (88^th minute for Ramires): N/A

He didn’t cost them the game!!!

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