FC Barcelona shows who's boss.
Match Report: Sunday 19/09/2007 20:45 hrs (GMT +1), Champions League Group Stage
FC BARCELONA - OLYMPIQUE LYON 3-0 ( 1-0 )
Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Capacity : 98,772
Referee: Massimo Busacca ( SUI )
Goals:
1-0 - Clerc ( o.g 21' )
2-0 - Messi ( 82' )
3-0 - Henry ( 90' )
Cautions:
Yellow Card :
FC Barcelona - Toure Yaya ( 33' ), Henry ( 71' )
Possession:
FC Barcelona 60%
Olympique Lyon 40%
Shots on Goal:
FC Barcelona 16
Olympique Lyon 6
Line-Up:
FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes, Zambrotta, Milito, Marquez, Abidal, Toure, Xavi ( Giovani, 79’ ), Deco Ronaldinho ( Iniesta, 65’ ), Henry, Messi ( Bojan, 88’ )
Manager: Frank Rijkaard
Olympique Lyon (4-4-2): Vercoutre,Clerc, Bodmer, Kallstrom ( Keita, 84’ ), Juninho, Benzema ( Ben Afra, 75’ ), Govou, Reveillere, Belhadj ( Baros, 61’ ), Toulalan, Squillaci
Manager: Alain Perrin
Match Report:
Lyon began the match by packing up their midfield with five players arranged horizontally across the midfield, preventing early assault by the feared Barca attack, who had balls cut from the midfield by the French champions. Ronaldinho was however, still visible as the Brazilian pushed forward and caused the Lyonnaise players some uncomfortable moments in the midfield area, always making them foul the Brazilian. A dangerous moment for Lyon came in the 14th minute when Ronaldinho's free-kick flew just narrowly wide and over the Lyon goal post. This caused some stir in the Olympique defence area, and more men were pushed backwards by coach Alain Perrin, who became even more conscious of the Blaugrana attacking potential. Perhaps the strategy had its counter effect when in the 21st minute a Lyon player knocked the ball into his own net, in a desperate bid to clear Lionel Messi's cross. The talented Argentine who was torturing the visitors, had exchanged a pass from corner with Ronnie and then broke loose to deliver a low drive into the area, only for the panicky French defence to cave into pressure. Lyon's Francois Clerc cleared into his goalkeepers net. Barca were one goal up.
The crowd cheered with thunderous applause at the opening goal. This is getting to what Barca fans have always wanted to do on very regular basis. Barcelona were not ready to relax after the goal, as the Blaugrana charged forward for more goals, eager to increase the tally within the shortest possible time. Lyon were now more alert and came to forcefully match the attacking fireworks from Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho. Deco was also in active show as the Portuguese cut of opportunities and connecting crosses by the opponents. One remarkable moment was when Deco blocked off a good shot by Kallstrom to prevent an equalizer for Lyon in the 32nd minute. The visitors were inspired by this attack, surged forward once more, this time having Toure Yaya to deal with as the Ivorien cut rampaging Juninho to size with a stub. This earned hard-tackling Toure a yellow card for his efforts as the first booking was recorded in the 33rd minute. The free-kick was of no result.
Barcelona charged forward and cordinated a beautiful move but Messi failed to connect with a finishing cross to his waiting team mates in the Lyon area. The French champions took advantage of this lapse and swarmed forward, making a quick incursion into Barca's area and earning a free-kick close to the box. It was a tense moment for the hosts as free-kick specialist Juninho positioned for his trademark goal from the spot. However, it was not to be as the Brazilian hit the ball way over Victor Valdes' goalpost. The resulting goal-kick sees some beautiful action from the Blaugrana. Short and precise passes distabilize Lyon, and Messi is let loose once again. The skillful youth turns Mathieu Bodmer inside-out and drives home a ball that was already assumed to be goal number two for Barcelona, only for the own-goal hero for Barca and villian for his club Lyon, Francois Clerc to appear from nowhere and block of the ball, denying Messi. A first real shot at goal by Lyon through Govou is handled well by Victor Valdes, who has been on holidays for some time. The first half ends with Barcelona in control of affairs.
Xavi ensured the pressure was maintained in the second half by punishing Lyon's defenders and keeper with hard saves and tasking balls. Thierry Henry also kept Clerc and the rest of his defence team on constant duty. In FC Barcelona's defence area, former Lyon player Abidal is making sure his former teammates are kept in check, as he shows no sympathy towards their cause. Ronaldinho combines well with Deco to produce good displays, even as creative midfielder, Andres Iniesta was preparing to replace the Brazilian. Lyon take the first queue by bringing in Milan Baros to replace Belhadj in the 61st minute , while Iniesta replaced Ronaldinho four minutes later. Thierry Henry moved into a more central attcking position where the French star caused more headache for his French country men without restraint. Henry, Deco and Iniesta were too much for Lyon to handle, with Messi poaching balls into the area and teasing the visitors with his skills.
A surging run in the 71st minute put Henry through but Thierry couldn't connect for goal after his shot went off. However, the centre referee, Massimo Busacca flashed Thierry Henry a yellow card, saying that he had already whistled before Henry kicked the ball. Thierry protested the decision, but was booked. This didn't deter Henry or Barca from continuing with their tormenting agenda for the Olympique team who were now broken down. Giovani dos Santos replaced Xavi in the 79th minute and this added more freshness in the Barca attack. The change pf player and pattern produced result just three minutes after. While Lyon focused on Giovani, Deco set up Iniesta on the right of the area. The Spanish international edged across the area before picking out Messi who rolled a first shot in to the far corner of Vercoutre's net. It was 2-0 to FC Barcelona and the end of hopes for the tired visitors to match their inspired hosts.
Juninho hopes to salvage some pride for Lyon with his second free-kick of the night, but goes off target again.
In the 88th minute, Barcelona make their third and final change of the match in a night of debuts, when Bojan Krkic joined Giovani dos Santos and Gabriel Milito in making their Champions League debuts both for Barca and in their careers. The crowd cheers young Bojan as the goal-machine and Barca B team goals record holder is applauded on entering the pitch. Bojan replaces Lionel Messi, who has contributed his quota to his teams performance.
Bojan's presence is felt, as Lyon mount more defenders to keep a keen eye on the slippery teenager. However, Giovani is another sleek teenager who needs to be watched too, and this was not done well enough as two minutes after Bojan came in and attracted a host of Olympique defenders, Giovani, the 18 year-old Mexican wonder kid slipped through Lyon's defence, cut the ball back and fired a great shot which was too hot for Lyon's keeper to hold, giving lurking Thierry Henry the opportunity to thump in the rebound for the third goal of the night and Henry's first official goal for FC Barcelona since coming from Arsenal where he held and still holds the record as the North London club's all-time record goal scorer. Henry was obviously delighted, as this could signal the beginning of a torrent of goals for him at his new club, FC Barcelona.
The match soon ends and Barca seal a deserved victory in their opening match of the 2007/08 Champions League.
Brilliant performance by Barca.
My Comments:
The Champions League has started on a bright note and hopefully, this has provided the much needed tonic for the Catalan giants to get in tune with events in the La Liga as well. The match against Sevilla will produce further confirmation of the Blaugrana's form re-discovery. With Sevilla going to 0-3 to Arsenal in London during their own Champions League match same time as Barcelona were thumping Lyon with the same score margin, things look a brighter for Barcelona to continue taking all three points at stake.
Lionel Messi showed just why he is the king of the left-footed players worldwide, and Thierry Henry showed why his name is revered in France and in England. The best of the goal king is still yet to come. Kudos to youngsters Bojan Krkic and Giovani dos Santos who made their champions league debuts as teenagers playing for a great club like FC Barcelona. Congrats also to Gabriel Milito who has played his first UEFA Champions League match after leaving Real Zaragoza. Toure Yaya has proved to be a solid signing and so has Eric Abidal. Barcelona must attain and maintain their winning ways.
