Messi ‘lifts’ Barca mood

Catalans dominate Juve

BARCELONA, Sept 13, (RTRS): When Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta was serenaded off the pitch on Tuesday following a vintage display in a 3-0 win over Juventus that was only rivalled by Lionel Messi, it was easy to forget the gloom that had gripped the Nou Camp two weeks ago.

The club had been left red-faced by the failure to sign top targets Philippe Coutinho and Angel Di Maria when the transfer window shut and the squad looked weakened following the world record departure of Neymar to Paris St Germain.

A resounding 5-1 aggregate Spanish Super Cup defeat by arch rivals Real Madrid added to the sense of despondency.

Tuesday’s stunning opening Group D display against last season’s Champions League finalists, however, showed that Barca are still in safe Barcelona’s Nelson Semedo (left), and Juventus’ Douglas Costa vie for the ball during a Champions League Group D soccer match between FC Barcelona and Juventus at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on Sept 12. (AP) BERLIN, Sept 13, (AFP): Germany legend Lothar Matthaeus has criticised Franck Ribery for defiantly throwing off his Bayern Munich shirt after being substituted in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Anderlecht, prompting a passionate response from the Frenchman.

Having picked up an early booking for arguing with the referee in the 3-0 home victory, Ribery was taken off with 12 minutes to go in Munich and hurled his shirt at the Bayern bench.

“Ribery has been here long