Chelsea vs Porto player ratings: Blues book place in UCL semifinals
Chelsea was beaten 1-0 by Porto, but managed to advance to its first Champions League semifinal since 2014. The Blues’ two goals in the first leg were enough to see them through in the tie. Thomas Tuchel’s side never looked like scoring in the second leg, but they didn’t have to. Porto began the game on the front foot and always looked the more threatening side. Despite this, the Dragoes didn’t register a shot on target until the 64′, which speaks to the defensive discipline of the home side. It took an absolute worldie from Porto to break the deadlock on the night.
A lot could be said about the second leg, particularly about the sluggish play of the Blues. Tuchel’s men didn’t hold onto possession well, they didn’t take their chances and they made some lazy movements. All of that being said, they didn’t need to. Chelsea’s job on the night was to keep Porto out the back of Edouard Mendy’s net—it did just that until the last moment of the match.
Here is how each player performed in the second leg against Porto:
Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 8/10
Given the discipline of the defense in front of him, Mendy did not have much to do on the night. However, when called upon, the Senegalese shot-stopper made no mistakes. Mendy comfortably caught crosses, made blocking shots look easy and eased the nerves of Blues fans on the night. He had yet to concede a goal in the Champions League knockout stages until the 93′ of this match. Without the newly acquired goalkeeper, Chelsea certainly wouldn’t be where it is right now.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Centerback): 8/10
Big time players make big time plays in big time moments. Cesar Azpilicueta was immense on the night, adding to his legendary status at the club. Did it need strengthening? No. Does the skipper care about anything other than winning though? Also no. Azpilicueta did everything right and is a huge reason the Blues are into the semifinals.
Thiago Silva (Centerback): 7.5/10
Thiago Silva slotted back into the starting XI quite comfortably. He didn’t do anything flashy—aside from blocking a cross and sending it behind for a corner late in the match—but he did what was required of him. A mature performance from the Brazilian.
Antonio Rudiger (Centerback): 7.5/10
Antonio Rudiger has been dealt a tough hand during the last two rounds. The German centerback has been tasked with defending some of the toughest strikers in Europe. Regardless, he won every battle he found himself in. Much like the showings of Silva and Azpilicueta, Rudiger played mistake-free football