A positive start as Messi rocks Camp Nou
FC Barcelona versus PSV Eindhoven – Champions League Match Review
In this season’s Champions League FC Barcelona has
been grouped in what is being called the Group of Death. Group B consists of FC
Barcelona, Inter Milan, Tottenham, and PSV Eindhoven.
Barcelona kickstarted the 2018-19 Champions League
Campaign at home against PSV - the weakest team in the group, on paper. The
young PSV team had been doing very well in the Dutch League and were on a
scoring spree. Coach Valverde didn’t take any chances and went in with a full-strength
team with the new comers Arthur, Lenglet and Vidal in the bench.
PSV came in with the aim to defend hard and the entire
team were involved in defending. Also they with the quick-footed Lozano
threatened on the break and made a few raids that had the Barca defense on the
back foot. Sadly, they lacked the final finishing which was disappointing.
Barca had the upper hand in possession and
threatened regulalrly. At last the deadlock was broken when Dembele was fouled
as he darted forward with the ball. It resulted in a free kick in an area near
the D that had Messi written all over it. And Mr. Messi did not disappoint sending in a sumptuous free kick that reached its mark with perfection.
Barcelona were up 1-0.
This was followed by a prolonged period of sustained
and physical defending by PSV. Dembele gave away the ball a few times while Coutinho
and Luis Suarez missed fine chances. But they all kept up the pressure on PSV.
Coutinho drilled in one of his trademark shot which
forced a save from the PSV goalkeeper Zoet. Suarez had a good shot come off the
woodwork. With just the lead of one goal it was tense as PSV had
every chance of equalizing.
Suddenly out of the blue, Dembele, who received the
ball from Coutinho did a fantastic turn and beat a couple of defenders. He
reached the PSV goal with a tremendous gallop (and every one held their breath!).
Without thinking twice, he let out a thunderous shot which found the bottom
corner of the net to make it 2-0 for Barca.
With the 2nd goal in, Barcelona smelt
blood and started pressing even more. The ever alert Rakitic, anticipating the sprint
of Messi, gave a beautifully weighted, looping pass. The little magician made
no mistake as he scored his 2nd of the day beating the goalkeeper
emphatically.
Umtiti who was booked earlier for dissent deservedly
got a second yellow card for a rough tackle on Lozano and was sent off. Barcelona
were reduced to 10 men with about 10 minutes of play left.
Newcomers Arthur, Lenglet and Vidal debuted for Barca
in the Champions League as they were introduced as substitutes for Dembele,
Coutinho and Rakitic. All three put in solid performances, rarely letting the
10 men team feel the pressure.
PSV managed to score through Lozano but it was
rightly ruled offside. As the game edged towards the end, the tireless Luis
Suarez found Messi up front and dinked a sweet pass to him. Messi latched on to
it and scored a lovely goal with his right foot to earn a well-deserved
hattrick.
Barcelona won the game 4-0 with a fantastic all-round
display. It was hard luck for the inexperienced and young PSV team whose
players look a promising lot. But it will be tougher to beat them at home,
during the 2nd leg.
Everyone did just fine for Barca.
Though the PSV forwards managed
to beat the Barcelona defense several times, they rarely tested Ter Stegen.
Umtiti had been seething for some reason from the
start of this season. He got himself sent off due to lack of self-control. It was
a totally avoidable red card and he would miss the next match against
Tottenham. He needs to cool down and be calm in tense situations.
Pique had some tough time against the likes of
Lozano. But he pulled off some wonderful tackles and saves. Sergi Roberto was
equally good in defense as well as in attack on the right. Jordi Alba did a tremendous
job on the left.
Sergio Busquets and Rakitic were calm and collected
as usual as. They made up for some of the loose balls that were given away by
the front four. They also played a key role in the first goal of Messi by being
part of that wall.
Coutinho and Luis Suarez were unlucky not to have
scored at least one goal each in the game. Yet the two never let up and
continued to work hard to provide some wonderful passes to their teammates. Debutants
Lenglet, Arthur and Vidal looked solid in the little time they got.
Coming to the 2nd most impressive
Barcelona player of the day – Ousmane Dembele is one guy who is totally
unpredictable. Neither his teammates nor the opposition can anticipate what he
would do next. Most times he would leave his teammates frustrated with an awful
pass and bad finish. Luckily his usual indecision of whether to pass or shoot, resulted
in the free kick that led to the 1st Barca goal. When he does things
on instinct, it turns out to be absolutely jaw dropping like the stunner he
scored to make it 2-0 for Barca. He is one big puzzle for both his team and the
opposition. It’s perfectly fine till it does not affect Barca. I am sure Barca
will start anticipating his indecision (This is crazy stuff LOL!)
Finally about the Captain who led from the front and
had a field day putting the opposition to the sword. At the start of the
season, a surprisingly outspoken Messi in his speech as Captain of FC Barcelona
had talked about the importance of winning the Champions League and the pain of
losing so badly last year. Everyone knew that their Captain meant business. In
the match Messi looked to be doing nothing while he was doing everything. He
was in the middle passing, up front attacking, at the back defending (yes he
was!) and on the flanks crossing. It all looked so mundane and normal till the
goals started coming in. While his free kick was insane, it was absolutely
magical to see him sprint like a 23 year old, at the right time, to score two more exquisite
goals. PSV were left totally helpless and in awe.
It’s not going to be easy as FC Barcelona will be
tested to their limits by the likes of Inter Milan and Tottenham especially
away from home. They need to keep the momentum and play with more control.
The defense needs to gear up and be tighter and more
disciplined.
I have a strong feeling that Lenglet, Arthur and
Vidal could form a vital part of this team. In the coming days Valverde need to
give them longer playing time, soon. Hopefully the injured Malcom will return soon and make it
even better.
The streak of craziness that Dembele brings in could
prove to be crucial. It keeps everyone on the edge.
Keeping my fingers crossed for the hardworking Coutinho
and Suarez to start firing as well.
Finally, Captain Lionel Messi looked the most determined for FC
Barcelona to do well in the Champions League.
Messi being Messi is exhilarating. May the exhilaration never stop.
Image Credits - Google Images
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