UEFA Champions League: Barcelona vs. Panathinaikos – 5-1 – Full Time Report Part 2
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Luis Garcia was the player who came on for the scorer of the first goal, Govou and the former Barcelona man was well applauded as he entered the field.
Gerard Pique was seen struggling with a head injury throughout the match and Gabriel Milito was seen warming up on the side line to come on for the Spanish international. Gerard Pique was finally taken off in the 75th minute as the crowd gave him a standing ovation and the injured Spaniard was replaced by the Argentine Gabriel Milito.
Barcelona were quiet for a long time but soon they made a fabulous effort on goal which was well finished by Pedro. A wonderful run inside from Lionel Messi was followed by a shot on goal which deflected off the woodwork. However, Pedro Rodriguez was there to tap in the fourth for Barcelona.
With Barcelona leading via a 3 goal margin, Xavi Hernandez was taken off by Pep Guardiola and the newly signed Javier Mascherano took his position on the field.
For Panathinaikos, Leto was taken off for the prodigal Ninis. The substitution, however, was not very well received by the crowd as it was Leto who was giving a tough time to Barcelona’s defence.
Soon, Lionel Messi was denied again by the goalkeeper as he took a fabulous shot on goal after an outstanding through ball from Dani Alves.
Barcelona characteristically kept moving on with their passing and the ball now barely went into their own other half as they kept on attacking and looking for more goals. It seemed as if the Greeks were playing with 10 men as they barely made an effort to get out of their own half.
In the 84th minute, Iniesta was taken down again and Karagounis found himself booked. With Barcelona leading 4-1, they started to toy with the Greek side. A free kick was eventually won by Dani Alves outside the box and it was taken by the Brazilian himself. Even though it went straight to an unmarked Gabriel Milito, he wasn’t unable to score and Barcelona went back to retaining possession.
With three minutes of stoppage time announced, Barca turned on the style for one last effort to get another goal. Messi managed to pass the ball onto Pedro right in the 91st minute, but Pedro stumbled and the chance was gone.
Near the end however, Messi chipped in a wonderful ball for Alves who calmly headed the ball into the goal for Barcelona’s fifth.
In the end, it was a thoroughly characteristic Barcelona performance, where they retained possession for a significant amount of the game and turned that possession into wonderful goals. There is little doubt that Barcelona are still favourites to win the Champions League this year.
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