Barcelona have continued their unbeaten run to the season as they came away with a convincing 2-0 win in their Champions League game against Benfica at the Estadio da Luz.
In the beginning stages of the match, Messi set up a cross to Sanchez and the Chilean didn’t hesitate as he opened the score sheet for the Catalans.
Right after the return to the second period of the game, Messi was again the provider of the pass to Fabregas and Barcelona doubled the score-line.
Other than few spells of sustained attacks from the Lisbon side, the game was totally dominated and controlled by Barca as they enjoyed nearly 70% of ball possession.
It would have been a perfect night for Barca if it was not for the horrific injury to their captain who just came back from a hamstring injury and a late sending off for Sergio Busquets.
Puyol fell awkwardly on his shoulder after the 78th minute and was immediately stretched off the field after he dislocated his arm.
It is now confirmed that Puyol will miss Barca’s encounter against their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, in El Clasico taking place this coming weekend.
Other than those two incidents Barca had a great night at Lisbon.
Right after the game, Jorge Jesus, the coach of Benfica, praised the performance of his team but admitted that Barcelona are a team on a different level and that they were simply too strong for his side and any team who faces them will concur the same fate.
“We have played against the best team in the world; they always dominate and enjoy the majority of ball possession”. He even suggested that maybe his team was used to playing against normal players but Barcelona were something extraordinary. “Barca has two
of the best players in Europe, and Lionel Messi is out of this world”.
With their record of 100% start to the season still intact, Barca couldn’t have been at a better position physically and mentally to host their bitter Rivals at the Camp Nou on this Saturday night.
For now, they just have to do a bit more work on the defensive side as they still look shaky at the back.
Alex Song seems to be the player than can fill the vacuum left behind by their captain as he is a defense-minded player.
The Cameroonian feels at ease playing alongside Mascherano and the two definitely bolster the back line of the team.
It is so far so good for the Catalans at the moment. A better analysis can be given on Saturday night as the world will see whether Barcelona are able to continue their march and dominate Real as they dominated Benfica, or not.
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