Lionel Messi inspired FC Barcelona to a 5-1 victory over Panathinaikos FC with two magical goals, two assists and an evening of tremendous football that almost matched his majestic four-goal destruction of Arsenal FC in last season’s quarter-final second leg.
Despite trailing to an early Sidney Govou strike, Messi, David Villa, Pedro Rodriguez and Daniel Alves tore the visitors’ defence to shreds and could easily have hit double figures.
PAO was a sorry sight, as the Greens managed just one attempt at goal for the entire game (compared to Barca’s 29). Even more embarrassing are the passing and possession statistics. PAO successfully completed 89 passes (compared to 603) and had just 26 percent of the ball compared with 74 percent.
“We’ve not hit top form yet,” said Barcelona coach, Pep Guardiola. “We did not even have to pressurise them as their goalkeeper always tried to reach Djibril Cisse.”
Ironically, it was exactly in this manner that PAO shocked Barcelona with what went on to be their only shot of the match, as the Greek side opened the scoring in the 20th minute.
Goal keeper Alexandros Tzorvas kicked long, Djibril Cisse used his heel to volley a pass, which sent compatriot Govou scampering free of a third Frenchman, Eric Abidal, and Govou fired powerfully past Victor Valdes.
Picking the ball from his own net would be the last time in the match that Victor Valdes would touch the ball.
The moment was stylish but interrupted a pattern of outstanding, incessant and sometimes brilliant football from Barcelona.
If were not for first-class work from Tzorvas, Nikos Nioplias’s team would have been on the canvas within 11 minutes.
Messi threatened immediately with a diving header from Pedro’s cross, then the little magician helped Andres Iniesta set up Xavi Hernandez from close range, yet Tzorvas excelled.
After Govou’s marvellous impudence, Barca struck back imperiously. Barely two minutes later Xavi’s lovely pass allowed Messi to open his body position and use that famous left boot to dink the ball home.
That intensified Barcelona’s relentless passing although it took a set play, Xavi’s corner that was flicked on by Sergio Busquets, to let Villa add a second at the back post in the 33rd minute.
However, the half would not be complete without another Messi conjuring trick.
Minutes before the break he rocked the goal frame violently with a thunderous effort off the crossbar and then produced a moment that will live long in memory.
Picking up an inside pass from Alves, Messi improvised two exquisite wall-passes – working a one-two with Xavi, then another with Pedro – to split Jean-Alain Boumsong and Cedric Kante in central defence before celebrating a sublime goal.
Even the fact that he failed with a second-half penalty, saved remarkably easily by Tzorvas ten minutes after half-time, took nothing away from the Messi masterclass.
With the points won and Josep Guardiola taking the chance to change his team around, the No 10 skipped around Tzorvas and rolled in a shot that bounced off both posts; Pedro was on hand to nudge in the fourth. And when Alves headed a cheeky fifth, it was that man Messi with the clever assist that made a perfect end to his superb night.
Coaches comments
“It’s a heavy defeat,” was how Nikos Nioplias began to describe his side’s mauling by Barcelona after their Champions League fixture.
Josep Guardiola in contrast, could barely conceal his excitement after watching his star-studded line-up shine bright.
“The fixture schedule wasn’t ideal because we came to Camp Nou with only two official matches under our belts,” said Nioplias. “The timing was even worse.”
“But, what’s done is done and we need to look forward.” Nioplias concluded with an air of confidence, “We won’t deviate from our goal; come December 7 we want to have qualified for the next phase,” he said.
Guardiola was full of praise for his side, describing them as “extraordinary”.
He said “You know I’m not one to walk around with my chest puffed out, but I have to say we played an extraordinary game tonight.
“You know you are doing things right when you manage to create 20-something chances against the Greek champions, but we’ve not hit top form yet.”
