Galery

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The match between the teams of Barcelona and Panathinaikos finished 5:1. It was played on Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. The match laid the beginning of the rounds of the Champions League and as one might expect.... it did not bring points to the greens. The team of Barcelona demonstrated its brilliance and played with power and zeal worth of envy. Their skillful passes and the excellent shape of the star Messi did not allow the guests to take a breath.

Barcelona started to attack in the very beginning of the match. The Spanish offensive began in the 2^nd minute when Messi started the warm-ups for a quick goal. The Argentinean threatened the net of Tzorvas but the Greek pushed the ball away. The hosts made two consecutive attempts to score in the 5^th minute but Tzorvas demonstrated his good shape again. He removed the Xavi’s ball. After a few seconds, Vyntra finally countered the hosts’ attacks by pushing the ball out. Even though the first attempts of the Spaniards to score failed, they managed to quickly warm up the ground before the Greek goalkeeper ... Barcelona attacked as if by magic and most impressive was the fact that the forwards were never left alone. At least 3 or 4 teammates surrounded them, which combined with their great technique showed an unstoppable team on the field ... Panathinaikos hardly managed to keep the ball for more than a few seconds. The team did not manage to trace the movements and the rhythm of the opponent either.

Messi measured swords with Tzorvas again in the 11^th minute. The second, however, had the last word. The next attack came after three minutes. Villa tried to score, but that was not the happy hour of Barcelona. Panathinaikos scored quite unexpectedly. Govou surprised the Spaniards in the 20^th minute and shot the ball to the net of Valdes. Great joy swept over the stadium. About 2500 fans were exulted at their team. However, the greens did not enjoy their success for long. Only two minutes after the score, Messi reminded for himself, moved through the defence without anyone noticing him and shot the ball into the net of Tzorvas. The surprise was quite unpleasant and put an end to the joy of the goal scored a few minutes ago.

The hosts set the pace of the game in the 33^rd minute and took the lead. Busquets headed the ball to Villa who scored. The half ended with another goal scored by the hosts. Messi scored it in the 44^th minute dancing with the ball and demonstrating his unique technique. Real theatre was played on the field as after the seven passes of the Spaniards, that can make a man squint, Messi found himself in front of Tzorvas and scored as if by magic.

Panathinaikos did not create situations to score. The team was close to the Barcelona’s net only once after the success of Govou. Leto was around Valdes for short but he was alone and could not keep the ball.

The attacks of Barcelona continued in the second half. The team did not give up its rapid pace. Goals were not late. Messi hit the ball in both beams of the net during a massive attack in the 78^th minute. Pedro, who was around, shot it into the net and the result became 4:1. Tzorvas managed to keep the 4:1 result in the 83^rd minute, but shortly afterwards came and the fifth goal. Alves scored it after Messi passed the ball to him.