Festival of goals in the challenge between Pochettino and Valverde: the Pulce leads the blaugrana, the English (in goal with Kane and Lamela) have heart and never give up, but in the end is not enough and peck poker
As soon as Barcelona hears the Champions's tune it turns. Back from a total of two points in the last three games of La Liga (against Girona, Leganes and Athletic Bilbao), the blaugrana impose themselves for 4-2 (two goals by Messi that also hits two woods) at Wembley in front of a willing Tottenham , but lower.
Wembley's clock does not even score the number two minute and the Valverde boys are already ahead. Jordi Alba collects the wonderful filter of Messi, surprisingly fast the defense of Londoners and, taking advantage of the sudden release of Lloris, serves Coutinho. For the Brazilian jewel it's a breeze to make a center in the now unattended door. The French goalkeeper of Tottenham, who missed the last six games, is obviously still rusty. The attempt to replicate the men in white is a small thing and the absences of Eriksen and Alli, in addition to those of Vertonghen and Dembele, are felt all right. It is Kane who tries to shake his, but his rebounding shot from outside the area is prey to Ter Stegen.
On the 28th the Catalans doubled. Messi draws Suarez that is the bank for Coutinho who seems late and can only harpoon the ball, sending it back to the edge of the area. The danger seems to have passed for the Spurs, but from twenty meters Rakitic guesses an incomparable and marvelous conclusion of the rebound. The two formations find even more space and two shots deviated from one side and the other - by Lamela and Messi - engage the opposing extreme defenders. Tottenham does not have the means to counter the excellent game before Barca and the rest is welcomed by Pochettino and his as a godsend.
It does not change much, however, at the beginning of recovery and a devastating descent of Messi ends with a left on the post. The Argentine takes our taste and at 51 'on a virtually identical action hits the same upright. For the English it is an omen and on the following offensive they shorten the distances: Lamela serves Kane who drinks Semedo before directing a precise diagonal behind Ter Stegen. Wembley raises his voice, but turns it off quickly. At 56 'Messi puts in fact his personal seal on the victory of the Iberians: begins and ends the action after the second assist of the evening of Alba and the feint of Suarez. The Spurs, however, have a vehement reaction of pride and on the passage of Son Lamela's conclusion, deviated by Lenglet, surprises the German goalkeeper of the blaugrana (66 '). Another mistake by Lloris remedied Alderweireld, while Tottenham fought until the end, but on two occasions Lucas fails to overcome the number one of the formation of Valverde. And at 90 'the error of Sissoko leaves the road to Alba that with the third pass-goal of the evening offers Messi the ball of the final 4-2. The guests celebrate their 602 network in the 300 challenges played in the main continental competition and start sniffing, together with Inter, the perfume of the final round of sixteen.
Tags:
Uefa Champions Legue