Messi admits Pique assist was a fluke

EINDHOVEN: A delighted Lionel Messi admitted his free-kick to set up Gerard Pique during Barcelona’s win over PSV was an accident. After scoring a brilliant opener, Messi mishit a setpiece that was poked in by Pique in the second half of Barca’s 2-1 victory i n the Champions League on Wednesday.

While some gave the superstar credit for the assist, the 31-year-old said it was not intended. “The free-kick didn’t come off but Gerard was in the area and he saw it and fortunately it went in but it was not something we had planned,” Messi told the club’s website.

Messi’s goal saw him break another record, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo as the most prolific Champions League scorer for a single club with his 106th. “I am delighted, I have just found out now. I am happy for this new stat,” he said.

“He’s a player you almost can’t stop,” PSV coach Mark van Bommel said on Messi. “You have to do everything you can — and we did that today — to block his shots. But sometimes it doesn’t work and that has to do with the quality of the player. That’s why he’s the best in the world.”

Barcelona had already qualified for the next round before kicking off at PSV Stadium and was uncharacteristically scrappy at times until a moment of Messi magic finally gave his team the lead in the 61st minute.

Messi has now scored 10 goals in five Champions League matches against Dutch opponents, including his hattrick against PSV in their Group B opener this season. But Barcelona will have to raise its game if it is to win back the Champions League trophy that was won by archrival Real Madrid for the last three seasons.

BARCA’S THREAT

PSV effectively countered Barcelona’s threat for much of the first half by pressing hard and denying Messi and his team mates time to settle, forcing mistakes. “It is our style of play that we take a lot of risks,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “There are a lot of teams now that try to put us under pressure. If we make mistakes in our midfield it is tough, but it is part of our risky style.”

De Jong grabbed a consolation goal for the home fans with an 83rd-minute header to set up a frenetic late assault, but despite pouring forward in the closing minutes PSV could not find an equaliser.