Therefore the first match summary is the Group B match between FC BARCELONA & Dutch Club PSV EINDHOVEN with the final result a firm 4 - 0 victory for Barça. The Spanish Club has an inhouse pledge between players of going all the way this season in Champions League & they could not get off to a better start. FC Barcelona Captain LIONEL MESSI gave the crowd a show & illustrated his full repertoire of immense skills finishing the night with a HAT-TRICK. The "party tricks" included a precision free kick goal, subtle touches & angle shots plus pinpoint passing & maneuvering. Amazing.
This is the FC Barcelona starting 11 & the later substitutes:
Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Sergi Busquets, Ivan Rakitic (Arturo Vidal, 85'), Coutinho (Lenglet, 81'), Messi, Dembele (Arthur, 83') & Luis Suarez.
Apart from Messi, another name to mention is Frenchman Dembele who was very active & notable tonight playing well & scoring an impressive long range precision second goal that lifted the applause of everyone. Beautiful execution & skill.
As for PSV Eindhoven they were overwhelmed & never really gave Barça any trouble notable to comment during the whole encounter.
Tonights goal scorers:
1-0, Messi (31'). 2-0, Dembele (75'). 3-0, Messi (77'). 4-0, Messi (88').
Spanish Club ATLETICO DE MADRID kicked off their Group A match against MONACO at 21:00 with the above starting 11. The final result MONACO 1 - AT MADRID 2.
Big expectations regards to Atletico de Madrid from fans & most Football observers after spending big this season acquiring top class players & knowing beforehand that his season's Champions League final will be played in Madrid at the home stadium "Metropolitano Madrid". Big incentive here to attempt to go all the way in the competition.
Said this, those big names were on the bench & the first half was not as good as one would expect from the Spaniards. The team is going through a "mini-slump" with already losing a match & drawing in LaLiga, that is, sitting 9th on the table.
The first half saw chances but not converted which gave Monaco wings which added with Atletico mistakes allowed Monaco to get ahead first with a goal from SAMUEL GRANDSIR in the 18th min. Atletico managed however to sail this storm & through "grit" & extra work managed the equalizer through DIEGO COSTA in the 31st min. The Spanish Team kept momentum & got ahead in the 45+ min with a corner header from defender GIMENEZ. Important as psychologically it was a blow for Monaco.
With a favourable scoreline for the 2º half Atletico played more comfortably & held the initiative, however again, the lack of effectiveness upfront to "shut the game" nearly caused them serious problems later in the game.
Monaco lead by a courageous & hard working Falcao went looking for the equalizer late in the 2º half. Atletico instead of pushing forward was force back as Monaco began creating goal opportunities. The equalizer for Monaco nearly arrived late in the 90th min when defender Glick headed & gazed the post. Close call indeed.
The 3 points to Atletico in a hard work victory that showed that the team has still a way to go if they are to continue far in the competition. Early days, yes, but overall average performance for what is expected from Atletico.
Tomorrow more UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE games with the two remaining Spanish Football representatives, REAL MADRID (vs AS Roma) & VALENCIA CF (vs Juventus FC) down for their Group matches.
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