Barcelona score five on Panathinaikos
Barcelona thrashed Panathinaikos in the first round of the Champions League's group stage, scoring five goals on the Greeks, leaving the final score at 5-1.
Lionel Messi starred for the Catalans, scoring a brace and setting up two goals, while David Villa, Pedro Rodriquez Ledesma and Daniel Alves also made marks on the score sheet.
Manager Pep Guardiola was pleased with his side's performance in light of the recent home defeat to La Liga newcomers, Hercules.
"Against Hercules we did not play as well as we did today, but it is hard to play as well as today. We attacked a lot better," the manager said after the match. "You must win at home in the Champions League and we did. We played an outstanding game, but
I don't like beating my chest. To make twentysomething chances against guys who are champions in Greece means you have to do things well, but we never stopped."
Before Barcelona began scoring, it was the Greek side that took the lead, through former Olympique Lyonnais striker Sidney Gouvou in the 20th minute. The home side had dominated until then, but Gouvou raced clear onto Djibril Cisse's ball and slotted past
Victor Valdes.
But only one minute later, Barcelona pulled one back, as another of Xavi Hernandez' passes found Messi on his way to the goal. The Argentinean made no mistake, gently knocking the ball past Nikos Nioplias, and in at the far post.
New signing Villa scored his third competitive goal for Barcelona in the 32nd minute, anticipating a loose ball at the far post after a corner kick and slamming it home.
Just before the break, it was Messi's time to shine again, as the 23-year-old exchanged passes with Pedro before dribbling into the area and finding the right corner of the goal in trademark fashion. If Messi's finishing had been up to par until that point,
it slumped in the second half as the striker failed to convert the penalty that he had earned his side. The tame strike along the ground was no match for Nioplias, who held on to the rebound.
Eager to avenge his mistake, Messi hit the far post from a tight angle in the 77th minute. The ball bounced onto the other post before falling to Pedro, who could make no mistake for Barcelona's fourth.
Messi then played a delightful chip to Alves in stoppage time, and the Brazilian's headed lob capped off a fine display for the Spanish champions.
After this game, Barcelona certainly seems intent to make up for last year's semi-final exit to Inter Milan.
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