PSV 1-2 Barcelona: Messi decides how and when Barca win
The No 10 scored a brilliant goal and then set up one for Gerard Pique in a tough match
Barcelona confirmed their position as group winners with a game to spare as Lionel Messi drove them past PSV on Wednesday.
PSV
1 ________________ 2
FC BARCELONA
LINE UP
PSV
Zoet, Dumfries, Schwaab, Viergever, Angeliño, Rosario, Hendrix (Gutiérrez, 71'), Lozano, Pereiro (Malen, 71'), Bergwijn (Romero, 79') y Luk de Jong.
FC BARCELONA
Ter Stegen, Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Vidal, Dembélé (Denis Suárez, 80'), Messi y Coutinho (Malcom, 69').
GOLES
0-1, Messi (60'). 0-2, Piqué (70'). 1-2, De Jong (83').
ÁRBITRO
Pavel Kralovec. T.A.: Hendrix (25'), Gutiérrez (83'), De Jong (84')/Alba (85') y Piqué (90').
INCIDENCIAS
Partido correspondiente a la jornada número 5 de la fase de grupos de la Champions League disputado en el Phillips Stadion ante xxx espectadores.
The Catalans had already reached the last 16 but Messi’s incredible effort broke the deadlock in Eindhoven and he set up Gerard Pique for a smart second goal.
Messi started as a false nine because of Luis Suarez’s injury. The Uruguayan is one of several Barca players out - Umtiti, Cillessen, Arthur, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha…
But with Messi, that didn’t end up mattering. PSV started well, though, striking the woodwork three times in the first half, while Clement Lenglet was lucky to get away with a tackle on Denzel Dumfries without conceding a penalty.
Luuk de Jong headed home for PSG in the final stages as they tried to force their way back into the game but after Dumfries’ appeal was turned down, that was that.
Barca have 13 points after five games and have nothing riding on the final clash, against Tottenham. Their opponents will be desperately trying to win though, to seal a place in the next round.
