Messi inspires Barca
TALISMAN: INVOLVED IN ALL GOALS
Barcelona
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi struck twice and set up Neymar in the final 13 minutes as Pep Guardiola’s return to the Camp Nou as Bayern Munich coach ended in a 3- 0 defeat in the first-leg of their Champions League semifinal last night.
On his 100th appearance in European football, Messi’s double moved him back ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo as the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League and Barca to the brink of their fi rst final in four years.
Manuel Neuer had kept Bayern in the game with a string of fine saves, but was helpless as Messi drilled home the opener from the edge of the area in the 77th minute and then delightfully chipped the German three minutes later.
Messi then fed Neymar in stoppage time to roll past Neuer and hand Bayern an almost impossible task in next week’s second-leg.
Guardiola was given a warm reception by the home fans as he took his seat for the first time in the away dugout, but his early tactical plan to play three at the back nearly proved costly.
Bayern’s intense pressing was forcing Barca to play long more than they are accustomed to, but it nearly worked to perfection when Messi’s headed fl ick-on sent Luis Suarez clear behind the Bayern defence after 12 minutes.
Neuer, though, stood up brilliantly to divert the Uruguayan’s effort to safety with an outstretched right leg.
Bayern started the second period the brighter, but it was once again Neuer who was the busiest goalkeeper.
Messi and Neymar combined but the Brazilian just couldn’t bring Messi’s lofted pass under his control and Neuer galloped from his line to clear the danger.
However, Messi was not so forgiving when offered room on the edge of the area for the first time as he fired past Neuer at his near post 13 minutes from time.
Three minutes later he produced an even more sublime finish, and then set up strike partner Neymar as Barcelona completed the rout in front of a partizan Nou Camp crowd. –