Barcelona Bounce Back Big Against Panathinaikos

A solid display from a Barcelona side that looked completely disheartened only three days earlier against Hercules. The team was looking for a good start, what they lacked against Hercules at the weekend, but they wouldn't get their way. A multitude of chances pasted by the blaugrana including a near tap in by Xavi after a nice spin-and-pass from Iniesta, but the chance was squandered. Eventually, a sweet back heel pass from Cisse set Govou on his way to sprint past Abidal and finish clinically past Valdes for an away lead only twenty minutes in.

But the heart that Barcelona had been looking for in the last 110 minutes finally started beating when Messi caressed an amazing pass from Xavi past Tzorvas and into the back of the net, just two minutes after going a goal down. But the show was far from over, a corner kick was headed down from Busquets at the near post and managed to reach an unmarked Villa at the far post to volley in from 6 yards. And before the first half whistle could be blown, Messi charged into the box, passing to Pedro who passed back, then passing to Xavi who laid the ball off for Messi to finish, a wonderful team goal to close the half. The momentum was all Barcelona's.

The second half continued on in similar fashion, Kante was judged to have taken down Messi in the box after a darting run, but Messi missed the resulting penalty kick that would have given him his hat trick. The second half followed in chance after chance wasted by Barcelona, often passing when a simple shot was open. Finally a goal came in the second half; Bojan sets Messi through nicely but with a tight angle, Messi takes the shot which comes off both posts before falling right to the feet of Pedro who gets it over the line. And before the final whistle could be blown, Messi chips the ball over the defense to an onrushing Alves who carefully heads the ball over Tzorvas and into the back of the net. An overall great performance from the blaugrana, they lacked a pure finishing touch, but with the multitude of chances they had to score from it was bound to be a rough night for Panathinaikos.