Messi & Co left in disarray in Paris
ANGEL DI MARIA produced two sublime finishes as Paris StGermain thrashed Barcelona 4-0 at the Parc des Princes in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The result equalled Barca’s worst in Europe and it could have been worse as Luis Enrique’s side were torn apart.
Former Real Madrid playmaker Di Maria opening the scoring with a fine free-kick before curling home a second in between efforts from Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani.
Barca were flat from the off, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta reduced to bystanders by a focused PSG display.
Unai Emery’s side took control of proceedings quickly, dictating the tempo and probing the Barca defence.
The pressure told in the 17th minute after Draxler coaxed a foul from Samuel Umtiti just a couple of yards outside the box. Di Maria struck the ball beautifully, getting his effort up and down in time to leave Ter Stegen no chance. PSG deservedly doubled their advantage before half-time after Messi coughed up possession to Rabiot in midfield.
Veratti advanced at speed and when he switched the play to Draxler 12 yards out, the German buried his shot.
The second half was even more one-sided, the Spanish giants lethargic and susceptible to PSG’s pace in attack.
It took them just under 10 minutes to score again when Di Maria cut in from the right and bent a left-footed effort into the corner.
The fourth felt inevitable and Cavani delievered with a sweetly struck first-time effort on the turn.
Luis Enrique’s humbled outfit might easily have walked away with an even more damaging defeat.