FC Barcelona travelled to Amsterdam to meet Ajax for their Group F match. Important game for Barça to secure the Group & find their lost Football after heavy criticism back home for their recent losses in Liga. Coach Luis Enrique started with Suarez, Xavi, Bartra & Rakitic, but left out (on the bench) Gerard Pique, thus accentuating the speculated problem with the player.
Barça won 0 - 2 & Ajax had their chances up until the 71st min when they lost Veltman to a red card. Before this it was an intense game with end to end Football with Ajax having their best moments in the 1ºst half - they even claimed two penalties not called. However, Ajax failed to convert their worked opportunities & they later paid for it dearly. FC Barcelona solved their situation with the class of their players & Messi scored first in the 35th min & again later in the 76th min when Ajax were with 10 men, tired from their efforts & discontent for missing so much chances.
FC Barcelona won but is not shining as we have been accustomed, perhaps the victory can shake off criticism & lessen the pressure of past days. The last note is that Messi joins Raul as the Historical maximum goalscorer of Champions League with 71 goals.
Athletic Club Bilbao said goodbye to Champions League after losing their Group H game to Porto 0 - 2. The Portuguese team deserved the win as they were the better side tonight on all levels. Porto missed a penalty when Martinez Jackson hit the bar in the 42nd min. But Jackson made up for his mistake scoring to the 56th min , to which later Brahimi scored the second for Porto in the 75th min.
Disappointing end for Bilbao in Champions which will go into the Europa League after the Champions League Group game stage.
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