5 Players Who Ruined Their Reputation with Disappointing Champions League Round of 16 Performances

The Champions League Round of 16 has concluded, but discussions about the tournament’s performances continue. Here are five players who struggled in the second leg, raising concerns among spectators.

Chelsea CB Mamadou Sarr

Fans of Chelsea were already questioning Mamadou Sarr’s position. He’s mainly starting because the other center backs have also been underperforming. His recent showing in the loss to PSG was particularly poor, leading some to appreciate Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile more. Sarr has had trouble winning possession and his passive style can get exposed in crucial matches, especially against top teams like PSG. Even though he was played out of position at right back, that doesn’t excuse his overall performance in such an important game.

Newcastle CB Malick Thiaw

Malick Thiaw was seen as a top talent by Paolo Maldini and joined AC Milan due to his potential. After being benched for inconsistent performances, he started the 2025/26 season positively with Newcastle. However, he struggled in a key Champions League match against Barcelona, where Newcastle lost 7-2. This match highlighted Thiaw’s difficulties in meeting high standards, raising doubts about his ability to perform at the top level.

Newcastle RB Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier has been regarded as one of the best fullbacks in England. He is known for his creativity and ability to create scoring opportunities from set pieces. Unfortunately, his performance against Barcelona was also disappointing, as Newcastle conceded seven goals. Trippier struggled against Raphinha, who was able to score two goals and provide two assists against him, leading to questions about Trippier’s effectiveness now.

Manchester City CM Bernardo Silva

It may seem unfair to criticize Bernardo Silva, especially after receiving a red card for the first time in his career early in a match against Real Madrid. Any early setback like that can derail a team’s efforts. In this case, it would have been better for him to let the goal go in rather than attempt a handball, as it left his team in a tough spot. Silva’s struggles in this Champions League match raise concerns regarding his role as a key midfielder for Manchester City at age 31.

Newcastle CM Jacob Ramsey

It might seem harsh to include three Newcastle players among the worst performers, but Jacob Ramsey had a tough match. While he worked hard defensively, his offensive play was lacking. He made a critical error that led to Raphinha scoring and struggled to create any momentum. Ramsey was largely ineffective as Barcelona dominated the game, leaving him unable to contribute significantly to Newcastle’s efforts.