Messi double helps Barcelona beat Juventus
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
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Lionel Messi scored twice to take his European club competition tally to 99 as Barcelona made a strong start to their campaign with a 3-0 win against last season's runners-up Juventus.
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Barcelona gained a measure of revenge for last season's quarter-final loss to Juventus by opening their Group D campaign with a 3-0 defeat of the Bianconeri.
Not for the first time, Lionel Messi was at the fore, scoring his 98th and 99th UEFA club competition goals for the Azulgrana. He was full of his usual thrust throughout, opening the scoring just before half-time following the slickest of one-twos with Luis Suárez.
Messi then hit a post before a menacing run down the right allowed Ivan Rakitić to make it 2-0 to the hosts. Barcelona's majestic No10 – who had never previously scored against Gianluigi Buffon – then added a third with a characteristic dribble and finish. Who'd bet against him bringing up his century in a fortnight?
Key player: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Reporter's view: Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham)
Don't let anyone be fooled that this was a stroll in the park for Messi. Given that Juventus were missing several key performers, you could take in the little maestro's display at a glance and think that everything was in his favour. In reality, though, the first half was a struggle; Blaise Matuidi marked him so cleverly. But the key thing about this man is that his talent is matched by his competitive instinct. First goal against Buffon? This was his first warning that he wants to be in Kyiv next May.