The much awaited day was here. Nou Camp the stage, Barcelona and Arsenal players the cast. Couldn't have written a better script. After the controversial end to last weeks breath-taking piece of display by Barca, it was all for them to take away and mark their supremacy on why they are associated as THE GOD'S of the Modern Soccer World!
The return leg was a tough ask for the Men-in-White (3rd Kit). No Fabregas, no Arshavin - this game was sure to make them sweat. For Barca, they were without Puyol, who was red-carded relentlessly, Pique after he picked up a yellow was unavailable for the return leg. So it was a make-shift back four for Barca and ditto for Arsenal who had to make changes in the central line-up.
Arsenal were the odd favorites here, but yes they were determined. To my amazement and the Gooners, Barca cut-shot their expectation theory. What the world saw was an absolutely dazzling display of pure soccer acuteness by the Catalans, the same they showed last week.
First 20 minutes down, the possession meter was 73 to Barca and 27 to Arsenal. I was sure the men in purple were on a rampage. I flipped channels knowing this match was hands-down in Barcelona's favor. But when I switched back, the lanky Denmark man had scored (Hail St. Bendtner..Another fumbled finish!!) He put Gunners ahead and there was definitely some light at the end of the tunnel.
But as they say all good stories must come to an end, and yes Arsenal's joy was short-lived. What time was it?? It was the Messi-ah's time to showcase one of the finest exhibition of soccer anybody has seen lately. Lionel Messi tore apart Arsenal just three minutes after they scored. Scores leveled, aggregate 3-3.Everytime that Messi touched the ball, he seemed to score with every opportunity. And so he did. A beautiful display of pure genius and Messi scored 3 within the first 45. What looked like the road to recovery was now a downhill ascend for the Gunners. Messi recorded a four goal thrashing, only the sixth man to join the elite class of players who have scored four in a European game.
An absolute genius at class and a team deserving to win, Barcelona stamped their authority on the European frontier. And as they say, "When God wants to play, all you can do is either sit or applaud!!" And applaud I did to the Catalan Giants!!
DEVIL FOR LIFE!!!
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