Messi like a ‘child in playground’
Print Edition
LIONEL Messi was like a “child playing in the playground” as he scored a hat-trick in Barcelona’s 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, his coach Luis Enrique said.
Making his first start in a month after recovering from a groin injury, Messi set the tone for another virtuoso performance with a storming run through the middle of City’s half before calmly dribbling past Claudio Bravo to score.
The floodgates opened once former Barca goalkeeper Bravo was sent off for handling outside the area and Messi toyed with City’s defence to smash the ball past compatriot Willy Caballero.
The five-time world player of the year sealed a second hat-trick of the season by tucking home a Luis Suarez cutback and was tripped by Aleksandar Kolarov in the dying minutes, although Neymar missed the resulting penalty.
“We saw Messi play like a kid in the school playground today,” Luis Enrique said. “Any other player would be shaking (after coming back from injury) but if we have come to expect anything from Messi, it’s that.
“It doesn’t matter how long he’s been out for or how many games he’s missed, he has a total understanding of football. Anyone who ever doubts Messi is naive.
“Those of us lucky enough to see him train every day know what he does. He helps in every sense and he is a reference point for us, without a doubt.”
Messi’s latest exhibition following a two-goal masterpiece against Bayern Munich, managed by Guardiola, in a Champions League semifinal first leg in 2015.
“Since I’ve known him he’s always done things like that and he keeps doing it,” said Guardiola. “This is not the first time he’s done this, I’ve seen him do it many times live before, but you have to congratulate him.”
Bravo was sent off early in the second half after losing the ball to Suarez and then handling his shot outside the box.
Elsewhere, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said his stars must work on their “humility” after their 6-0 demolition of Ludogorets with Mesut Ozil also bagging a hat-trick.
“Let’s not be too quick on the verdict. We have a strong squad and a strong spirit, but you have to take care of it and keep your feet on the ground,” Wenger said.
Bayern Munich also romped to a 4-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in Group D, recovering some esteem after losing to leader Atletico Madrid in its last European game and drawing twice in the Bundesliga.
Thomas Mueller, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben were all on target in what coach Carlo Ancelotti said was the reaction he had expected from the German champions.
“The attitude was good, we learnt our lessons from Frankfurt,” said the Italian, who had won his first eight games in charge before the Madrid defeat. Paris Saint Germain beat Basel 3-0 to stay on course to qualify from Group A with Arsenal.
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