Lionel Messi took just 25 minutes to score twice at the Camp Nou on Wednesday as he made a goalscoring return to action after almost two months out injured. 'His career is like a film script' said coach Tata Martino after the 4-0 win.
The four-time Ballon d’Or winner had been sidelined for 50 days and spent one month recuperating in Argentina but it was as if he had never been away while gliding past Getafe defenders with a double that all but assures Barcelona go into the Cup quarter-finals.
Messi would not be drawn afterwards on whether he will now start Saturday’s title crunch against Atletico Madrid. 'We still have to take things bit by bit. I feel strong physically and of course I always want to play. I have missed playing,' he told Barça TV.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch Messi scoring from behind the goal during training
Back in action: Lionel Messi celebrates scoring on his return from injury in the Copa del Rey clash with Getafe
On strike: Messi strikes the ball to score after returning from a spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury
MATCH FACTS
BARCELONA: Pinto; Montoya, Mascherano, Puyol, Adriano; Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Iniesta (Messi 61); Pedro, Fabregas (Song), Alexis (Tello)
Goals: Fabregas 8, 62 pen, Messi 89, 90
GETAFE: Codina; Valera, Rafa, Alexis, Roberto Lago; Lacen, Borja; Pedro León, Diego Castro, Gavilán; Ciprian
But when asked about his future he was more decisive: 'My dream is to finish my career here for as long as people want me,' he said in what many will interpret as another dig at Barcelona director Javier Faus who he accused of knowing nothing about football in the row that erupted over claims Messi wanted a new deal.
The Argentine watched the first half from the bench and saw former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas lay the foundations for the win with a brace that took him to 11 goals for the season.
'He (Fabregas) was the best player on the pitch,' said coach Martino who now has the unenviable task of deciding who to leave out of Saturday’s title crunch against Atletico Madrid. 'I know I will end up being unfair to someone.'
The former Arsenal captain’s decision not to allow his head to be turned by Manchester United in the summer continues to look a wise one as he scored his tenth and eleventh goals of the season.
Return to form: Messi skips past Getafe's Mehdi Lacen as he caps off his comeback with a brace
But the night belonged to Messi and he almost scored a penalty with his first kick. Fabregas’s second goal came from the spot just as Messi was waiting to come on. At first it seemed Fabregas would allow his pal to come on and score with his first touch but Messi waited for Fabregas to bury the spot-kick before making his return.
Fabregas has thrived this season under Tata Martino and with 13 assists no one has more passes to goal in European football. After this double in Barça's first-leg last-16 game he is into double figures for goals scored this season.
Pedro crossed from the right after eight minutes and Fabregas headed past Jordi Codina. He then got his second from the penalty spot after Pedro had been brought down on the hour.
Gunning for it: A double from Cesc Fabregas raced Barca into a comfortable 2-0 lead
Barcelona’s weakness from set-plays always left the door open for Getafe to get themselves back into the game in the first half and Gavilan’s cross had to be punched away by Jose Pinto. But the home side could have scored more before the break with Adriano shooting over and Carles Puyol heading wide.
With his goals Fabregas became the fifth player into double figures joining Alexis Sanchez, Pedro, Neymar and Messi on 10 goals or more as the team that relied so heavily on the Argentine last season have managed to spread the load in his absence.
But it was Messi the 40,000 inside the Camp Nou wanted to see and his appearance on the touchline to warm-up after 50 minutes brought one of the loudest cheers of the night.
From the spot: Fabregas netted his second from the spot as Barca cruised through the first leg
In action: Barca winger Alexis Sanchez attempts to keep the ball away from the onrushing Roberto Lago
When he came on the game was already won and the second leg should be a stroll for Barcelona next Thursday in Madrid.
Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova was in the crowd watching the game with his son. The man who led the club to the title last season but stood down in order to continue treatment of a salivary gland tumour will have enjoyed the Fabregas’ double and Messi’s scoring return having coached both as youth teamers back in 2003.
Messi capped his return by finding the back of the net in the last minute after Sergi Busquets and Martin Montoya had combined inside the area and then adding his second and Barça’s fourth on the night with the last kick of the game from Alex Song’s pass.
The sweet taste of victory...
Tucking in: Alex Song (right) shared this picture of him enjoying a post-match meal with Barcelona team-mates (from left) goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto, two-goal heroes Messi and Fabregas, and Gerard Pique
No comments:
Post a Comment
Kindly share your view or contribution on this topic