Sunday, September 20, 2009

Atletico thrashed 5-2, Messi stars in rout



Yet another Barca-Atleti fixture. Yet another goal-fest. It is a fixture that has the word "GOALS" emblazoned all over it.

This time, it finished 5-2 in favour of Barcelona, with goals coming from Ibrahimovich (who called him a flop?), Messi, Alves and Keita.

Barcelona started with Valdes in goal, Alves, Pique, Chiggy and Maxwell in defense, Xavi, Busquets and Keita in midfield and the attacking trident of Messi, IBra and Henry.

Ibrahimovich started off proceedings in the second minute with a superb chip that Eto'o could not have scored even in his wildest dreams, showing why Barcelona bought him for that ridiculous amount at the start of the season.

Messi then reaped the rewards of a brilliant Xavi cross to make it 2-0 within 20 minutes. He ran onto the exquisite pass, used his pace to beat his marker and slotted it coolly past the hapless keeper.

On the half hour mark, Alves then scored another excellent free-kick which went in off the post.

Ibra was involved again in the move that led to Barcelona's fourth goal. After a run down the left wing, Ibra stopped, watched Messi's run and then coolly chipped the ball over his marker to the little Argentinean. Messi did the rest. With three superb touches, he beat his man, ran to the touchline and gave an excellent cross to Keita to make it 4-0.

Barcelona's clean sheet record was broken before half time however, as Busquets' error led to an Aguero goal.

Barcelona geared down in the second half, despite the introduction of Andres Iniesta. They conceded another goal due to a poor clearance by Valdes which put Forlan in acres of space to find a finish.

However, Messi completed the rout just before full time with a goal befitting a nifty little set of touches exchanged between Alves and Xavi.

Another win and another superb performance by Barcelona. They remain at the top of the table with 9 points out of 9.


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