Champions League: Messi’s Masterclass Down Dortmund

Share

On a night that he again showed class and gave reasons for his perennial claims to the coveted world’s best player crown, Lionel Messi scored one and laid on two others to mark his 700th Barcelona appearance in style

Coach Ernesto Valverde praised the “amazing” Argentine captain after he led Barcelona past Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.

He scored and provided two assists in his 700th game for Barcelona, who secured top spot in Group F thanks to a 3-1 victory at Camp Nou.

While Messi and Luis Suarez combined for the first two goals, the former then set up Antoine Griezmann in the second half.

Valverde praised Messi, who broke a Champions League record by scoring against a 34th different opponent, for his performance.

Dortmund became the 34th side to concede in the competition against the Argentine, a mark which sees him surpassing Raul and Cristiano Ronaldo on the goals’ scoring chart.

“Luis and Leo understand each other perfectly because they have been together for a long time. At first it wasn’t like that,” the Barcelona coach said, via AS.

“Messi is an extraordinary passer and Griezmann was unmarked as well. You just have to find the timing.

“And of Leo’s match, what am I going to say? It was amazing. It is not only what he does, but when he does it.”

Griezmann started on the bench but was needed in the first half, when Ousmane Dembele came off with a thigh injury.

Valverde was disappointed for the France international, who has battled numerous injuries since his move to Barca from Dortmund in 2017.

“I don’t know if it’s a relapse or what leg it is. It has been a rare move because it has been in a jump, in which the leg has gone backwards. I don’t know,” he said.

“Right now we are sad for him because we are qualified but the bad news is the injury.

“We know he is suffering and we will see if we can help him”, the Coach said – Goal.com

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply