Football Features

    “At the top of his game” – Full player ratings as Bayern take huge Champions League step forward against Chelsea

    By Mohamed Moallim

    Published: 22:21, 25 February 2020

    Chelsea will have to perform another Champions League miracle against Bayern Munich in three week’s time if they are to reach the quarter-finals.

    Frank Lampard’s men were humbled 0-3 at home by a relentless Bayern side in their round-of-16 first-leg meeting and the visitors could easily have added one or two more goals.

    Serge Gnabry, the bane of Spurs, once again caused havoc in London, netting twice in as many minutes before Robert Lewandowski grabbed his customary European Cup goal.

    To compound further misery for the Blues, they finished the game with 10 men after a VAR intervention saw Marcos Alonso sent off for violent conduct.

    Here’s how the players rated at Stamford Bridge:

    Chelsea

    Willy Caballero – 5 – There was nothing he could do to prevent Bayern’s goals. This performance will not determine his future as Chelsea’s number one, as reports suggest the west London club have a goalkeeper at the top of Lampard’s summer wishlist.

    César Azpilicueta – 6 – Had his plate full trying to repel Gnabry and Davies on Chelsea’s right flank. Did the best he could against Bayern’s whizz duo, and to his credit never shirked from this responsibility before coming off with less than 20 minutes remaining.

    Andreas Christensen – 6 – On a personal note, Christensen — when called upon — stood up to the task at hand, winning three of his five attempted tackles, but like those around him this is not an evening he’ll look back on with any fondness.

    Antonio Rüdiger – 6 – He would have loved nothing more than to get one over his countrymen, but aside from a positive first-half there wasn’t much for him to shout about.

    Reece James – 6 – An experience that will serve the young English full-back well going forward in his career. 

    Jorginho – 5 – Foolishly allowed himself to be cautioned early in the second half for dissent, after feeling Joshua Kimmich wasn’t punished for a challenge on Mateo Kovačić. The consequence of his yellow means he misses the second leg in Munich.

    Mateo Kovačić – 6 – Kept asking for the ball but even the creative Croat, who effortlessly broke the lines, couldn’t inspire Chelsea to a famous Champions League win.

    Marcos Alonso – 5 – Shown a straight red in the final 10 minutes for violent conduct after VAR reviewed an off-the-ball incident with Lewandowski. He never really expressed himself this evening in Bayern’s half.

    Ross Barkley – 6 – Recently won his place back in Chelsea’s starting lineup, but flattered to deceive this evening. He’d touch the ball fewest of Lampard’s forward players that started this game (22) and was guilty of willfully giving away possession too often.

    Mason Mount – 7 – Playing in his first Champions League knockout game you would forgive Mount for having any nerves. The talented England midfielder would regularly bypass centre-forward Giroud and be Chelsea’s most potent threat, creating two goalscoring opportunities.

    Olivier Giroud – 6 – Started ahead of the now-fit Tammy Abraham and had a point to prove. Utilised as an old-fashioned battering ram, Giroud led Chelsea’s forward line well, before the match got away from the hosts.

    Substitutes:

    Tammy Abraham (for Giroud 61) – 5 – Had one real opportunity to test Neuer after coming off the bench but was expertly denied by Boateng.

    Willian (for Barkley 61) – 5 – Came on and gave Chelsea something extra going forward, but too little, too late.

    Pedro (for Azpilicueta 73) – 5 – By the time he came on the game had long passed Chelsea by.

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    Bayern Munich

    Manuel Neuer – 6 – A straightforward evening for Germany’s number one goalkeeper who made two saves but will treasure another clean sheet, with Bayern certainly having one foot in the quarter-finals.

    Benjamin Pavard – 6 – Such was Bayern’s control the French international didn’t really need to dig deep within himself. An enjoyable first experience at Stamford Bridge for him.

    Jérôme Boateng – 7 – A tentative start for the veteran centre-back who rolled back the years to command Bayern’s backline, winning three aerial duels as well as executing a neat tackle on Abraham bearing down on goal in the latter stages.

    David Alaba – 7 – He’s been there and done it. Bayern’s multifunctional Austrian defender-cum-midfielder was as cool as could be. His long-term future may now be in central defence.

    Alphonso Davies – 8 – To describe Davies as lightning-quick is an understatement. Such has been his incredible rise Alaba is no longer considered Bayern’s first choice at left-back. The impressive Canadian was at the top of his game at both ends of the pitch and provided Lewandowski with his goal following a breathtaking surge.

    Thiago – 7 – His usual metronomic self, completing 71 of 77 attempted passes, but was cautioned in first-half stoppage time following a tactical foul on Ross Barkley, who looked to get a Blues counter-attack going.

    Joshua Kimmich – 6 – Fortunate to have ended the game with just a yellow, but aside from any transgression it was a typical performance from the versatile German international.

    Serge Gnabry – 8 – Always an outlet for Bayern out wide, and the in-form German winger kept Chelsea’s right flank honest. He was in the right place for Lewandowski’s cut-back — just when it seemed like the Polish marksman would strike on goal — to break the deadlock before coolly slotting past Caballero moments later. All six of his Champions League goals this season have come in London.

    Thomas Müller – 7 – Just a few months ago Müller’s future at Bayern looked bleak. The arrival of interim boss Hans-Dieter Flick has seen his fortunes change. He’s back to his best and was a livewire at Stamford Bridge this evening, creating no fewer than two chances whilst seeing an effort hit the frame of Caballero’s goal.

    Kingsley Coman – 6 – Got forward as much as he could and was unfortunate to have picked up a serious injury midway through the second half, especially as he just recently returned to full fitness.

    Robert Lewandowski – 9 – Arguably the best number nine in Europe today, but tonight he morphed into a ‘9½’, setting up both of Gnabry’s goals. Nevertheless, his mere presence was enough to keep Chelsea’s centre-backs on their toes and was rewarded with another Champions League goal late on.

    Substitutes:

    Philippe Coutinho (for Coman 66) – 6 – A chance to impress but the former Liverpool man couldn’t really get into the game. In fairness, Bayern dropped off after going 3-0 up.

    Corentin Tolisso (for Gnabry 85) – N/A – A late sub.

    Leon Goretzka (for Thiago 90) – N/A – A late sub.

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