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Maribor
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 5, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

1-1

Ibraimi (50')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Matic (73')

Player Ratings: Maribor 1-1 Chelsea

Sports Mole looks at which players stood out during Maribor's famous 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League this evening.

Group G of the Champions League was kept wide open this evening as Maribor held leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in Slovenia.

Agim Ibraimi broke the deadlock for the hosts five minutes before the break, only for Nemanja Matic to poke in from close range and level the scores.

Chelsea had a glorious chance to clinch the victory late on, but Eden Hazard saw his penalty saved by Jasmin Handanovic as Maribor held on for a famous point.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who stood out during an enthralling match.


NK Maribor's Arghus reacts after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group G football match between NK Maribor and Chelsea in Maribor, Slovenia on November 5, 2014© Getty Images

MARIBOR

Goal

Jasmin Handanovic: A magnificent performance from the keeper, who denied Hazard not just from the penalty spot but also in a one-on-one situation when the Belgian looked certain to score. Also made a fine fingertip save to deny Costa, but could do nothing about the goal. Without him, Maribor would have lost this game. (9/10)

Defence

Petar Stojanovic: Didn't start too well as Chelsea got a lot of joy down his flank in the first 10 minutes, but grew into the game and forced Hazard over to the other side. Fully committed throughout and a good, strong performance overall. (6/10)

Aleksander Rajcevic: Kept Drogba quiet throughout and also helped to shackle Costa when he came on at the break, limiting the Spanish striker largely to shots from tight angles. (7/10)

Arghus: Fortunate not to give away a penalty for a trip on Oscar inside the box, but otherwise had a strong and imposing game against the physical threat of Drogba. (7/10)

Mitja Viler: Scored an own goal in the reverse fixture and almost cost his side again by conceding the penalty having been outfoxed by Hazard. However, he got away with that and can be pleased with his performance as a whole. Provided the cross from which Zahovic missed his sitter, and also threatened with one or two other deliveries. (6/10)

Midfield

Agim Ibraimi: Scored the opening goal with a beauty of a finish into the far corner, although it must be said that it was a one in 100 strike having seen him go for goal from range a number of times without success over the two games. (7/10)

Ales Mertelj: Solid in the middle of the park, preventing the likes of Fabregas and Matic controlling the game as they did in the reverse fixture. (6/10)

Zeljko Filipovic: Perhaps lucky not to be sent off late on for a challenge on Hazard that could have warranted a second yellow. Otherwise, a decent performance despite the occasional wayward pass. (6/10)

Simtiahau Sallalich: Always looked to be a threat with his pace, trickery and eagerness to have a go at the defenders. Was his side's best outfield player on the night. (8/10)

Attack

Marcos Tavares: Went on one brilliant run in the first half, but failed to make the most of it as he chose to pass instead of shooting. Led the line admirably and didn't give the Chelsea defence an easy time of it. (7/10)

Luka Zahovic: Was included in the side for his domestic goalscoring exploits, but couldn't have wished for a better chance than the one he blazed over the bar. It was an absolute sitter with the goal gaping, but he somehow missed it. That would have made it 2-0, which might have been too much for Chelsea to recover from. (5/10)

Substitutes

Jean-Philippe Mendy: Replaced Zahovic in the 73rd minute and carried the charge for his side, providing a useful outlet and pushing on for a winner. Almost got an assist when he teed up Tavares, who fired wide. (7/10)

Damjan Bohar: Came on in the 90th minute as the hosts looked to wind down the clock and had no time to affect the game. (6/10)

Welle N'Diaye: Had a matter of seconds on the field having been brought on in the second of two added minutes. (6/10)


Chelsea's Didier Drogba vies for the ball with Aleksander Rajcevic of NK Maribor during the UEFA Champions League Group G football match between NK Maribor and Chelsea in Maribor, Slovenia on November 5, 2014© Getty Images

CHELSEA

Goal

Petr Cech: Only had three shots on target to face all night, one of which was the goal that he could do nothing about. Otherwise a solid display. (6/10)

Defence

Branislav Ivanovic: Was a lot quieter than usual, rarely being seen on his trademark overlapping runs down the right flank. Was switched to the left in the second half as Chelsea went with three at the back. (6/10)

Kurt Zouma: Partially to blame for the Maribor goal having not got enough on his header to clear the danger, but otherwise looked commanding at the back. Made a good clearance off the line and was quick to cover for Terry when Tavares broke through, while also threatening once or twice at the other end. (6/10)

John Terry: Got the assist for the goal, nodding Fabregas's corner towards the far corner for Matic to tap home. Was beaten too easily on one occasion by Tavares, but otherwise gave the Maribor strikers little joy. (7/10)

Filipe Luis: Started brightly as Chelsea dominated down the left flank, but soon faded and didn't have much more of a say on the game. Was hauled off after the Maribor opener and is unlikely to have done enough to keep his place this Saturday. (6/10)

Midfield

Nemanja Matic: Got his side's vital equaliser, although the ball may have been going in anyway from Terry's header. Was not at his commanding best in midfield, but did put in a few decent challenges here and there. (7/10)

Cesc Fabregas: Like Matic, could not control the match as he usually does. Opened up the defence a couple of times with incisive passing, but certainly not his best performance in a Chelsea shirt. (6/10)

Willian: Did not have much of an impact on the game in the first half, and was one of the men pulled off by Mourinho at the break. (5/10)

Andre Schurrle: Missed a sitter in the first half, but was saved by the offside flag anyway. Also taken off at half time following another disappointing performance. (5/10)

Eden Hazard: Took time to get going, but grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck in the final 20 minutes and almost won it all by himself. However, ultimately it was he who squandered the chances to come away with all three points, missing a one-on-one and the penalty that he himself had won. (7/10)

Attack

Didier Drogba: Tried to put himself about up front and held the ball up well at times, but failed to provide the energy and spark needed to get through the Maribor defence. (5/10)

Substitutes

Oscar: Came on at half time and had more of an impact than Willian. Made the chance for Hazard's one-on-one and injected a little more creativity into the visitors' play without making a huge impact. (6/10)

Diego Costa: Also introduced at the break despite concerns over his fitness, but didn't look at sharp as usual. Snatched at a few chances that came his way. (5/10)

Ramires: Came on shortly after the opening goal and helped Chelsea gain more control in midfield, but ultimately didn't have much of an impact on proceedings. (6/10)


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NK Maribor's Arghus reacts after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group G football match between NK Maribor and Chelsea in Maribor, Slovenia on November 5, 2014
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Match Analysis: Maribor 1-1 Chelsea
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