PBP: UEFA Champions League - Matchday 1 | FC Barcelona v PSV Eindhoven | 18 September 2018 [R]

Messi Hattrick !!!!

 

Finally Messi hatty.

 

Messi with free kick, left foot open play?????, and now right foot.

JUST saw post above, is it two right foots in a row?

NO - 2nd was left footed:

 

Messi is the GOAT

 

Messi happened!

 

TBF the opponents Barca have played so far make it pretty tough to appear inspiring. I mean if winning 8-2 or 4-nil doesn’t bring inspiration its because of the opponent’s level. Or at least the level we perceive them to be at (I actually think PSV will pull off a couple of surprises this group stage).

Lets see what the match at Wembley brings. I’m kinda relieved Inter scored those two late goals tonight. If Spurs had won, them and Barca would probably be fine with playing to a draw in matchday 2, but now we should be in for a potentially awe-inspiring contest.

 

I hope PSV can get points and keep this a 4 team group, not just a 3 team group. I always say that it is just as important that you get all (6 of) the points against the 4th team, as it is that you beat the 2nd or 3rd team for points / head - to - head. We did the easy part today (winning at home against what looks like the 4th team) and it wasn't assured till that great Dembele goal.

But yeah, Wembley will be insane next week. If we get a win there we'll be in good shape no matter what happens in PSV-Inter, and the Spurs will need to chase a win themselves lest they risk falling behind Inter by 5 or 6 points and us by 3 or 6. Pissed Umtiti won't be playing and, frankly, would rather see Vermaelen start, but even if Lenglet starts it will be the first new signing starting in a real game other than the super copa. So that's cool, need to see the new signings play more than 10 minutes at a time.

 

Everytime he lost with Argentina, many said this would be finally the end of Messi era. Well, just keep waiting.

 

You Barca fans are very classy. You clapped at Zoet's save and also at some of PSV attacks.

Nothing but respect for you guys.

Maybe its because of some of Cruyff's deep roots??

 

He just made a nice assist for Messi a week-and-a-half ago.

 

Yeah forgot that, checking my database the last assist before that was a year ago. Raki has 12 assists for Messi overall. But I've always got the feeling his passes could be better, Messi certainly gives that look time to time.

 

Boixos Nois (Barcelona) attacked PSV Eindhoven today #championsleague #barcelonapsv #hooligans #ultras #ultrastifo pic.twitter.com/X6AlfegAEP

— Ultras-Tifo (@UltrasTifo) September 18, 2018

 

Damn, seeing that right after @Brilliant Dutch's post brings me right back down to Earth. There as a#$hole fans everywhere, of every team, including ours. But I do think that most Barca fans respect a good game and good play, and also have an affinity for Dutch and former Barca players like their coach.
and he aimed this at Real Madrid, right?

 

hehehe Indeed.
2007 second round, first leg.
Scored a late goal at the Bernabeu to reduce Real's lead to 3-2.
Bayern won the return 2-1 to advance on away goals.
This was the season after he played at Barca.

 

PSV are in a rough group and are 12:1 to qualify (long odds), worst in their group (Barca 1/10, Inter 8/13, Spurs 11/10), but Ajax have an easier group and got a good first result which bolsters their changes, their odds to qualify are just 8/11, second best in their group behind Bayern's 1/6, though only a bit better than Benfica's 6/5 odds, AEK Athens the long shot at 9:1.

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/champions-league