Lionel Messi scored twice and assisted another as Barcelona beat Bayern Munich 3-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp.

Pep Guardiola's attacking philosophy ensured an exciting game but he had no answer to stopping Messi.

Thierry Henry called it "brave", while Jamie Carragher settled for "stupid". What nobody should have been is surprised. Pep Guardiola doesn't park buses and his proactive approach at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night gave us one of the most enthralling games of the season.

Unfortunately for the Bayern Munich coach, he also felt the full force of the genius of Lionel Messi, all but ending his team's Champions League hopes for another season.

There had been much debate in the build-up about whether or not Guardiola could identify a weakness lurking within the team he knows so well; the "flash of inspiration" he's spoken of that would unlock the key to victory.

In the opening 15 minutes, that planning led him to going man-for-man at the back against the most devastating forward line in world football - a trio that have now scored 111 goals between them this season.

The decision to revert to a back-four soon after might even have been pre-planned but his team were undeniably fortunate to get away with the experiment for as long as they did, as Barcelona went close numerous times in those early stages.

However, Guardiola is a risk taker and as his mentor Juanma Lillo once said, "taking no risks is the riskiest thing of all. So, in order to avoid risks, I will take risks."

Perhaps Lillo was in his thoughts this week. After all, Guardiola has called him the best coach he has worked with, even finishing his playing career in Mexico such was his desire to fulfil his ambition of working with the man. And while Guardiola himself had no experience of facing Barcelona going into this tie, Lillo certainly did.

UNCOMPROMISING

When coaching Almeria in 2010, Lillo's uncompromising attitude was evident in the build-up. "Barcelona and Almeria both want to control the ball," he said. "The problem is that there is only one of them on the field. We will try to take the ball away from them and keep it under our control for as much time as possible."

Later that year, his stay at Almeria came to an end with an emphatic 8-0 defeat to Guardiola's team. Sacked for his refusal to bow to Barcelona.

Unlike Lillo's Almeria, Guardiola's Bayern did win the battle for the ball - even becoming the first team in over a decade of Champions League football to have more possession against Barcelona. But thanks to the magic of Messi, their fate was little better - vanquished by the little maestro.

Guardiola had called Messi unstoppable in his pre-match press conference and while few know the Argentine's capabilities better, that helpless feeling of finding yourself in the opposition dugout was new to him. Just as Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and many more have discovered in the past, the best-laid plans can disappear like quicksilver when Messi's witchcraft begins to take effect.

Mike Tyson famously once said, everyone has a plan until they're punched in the face. But while Floyd Mayweather had to rely on the scorecards of judges to get the decision when his body swerves bamboozled Manny Pacquiao, Messi succeeded in felling Jerome Boateng in the second. There was simply no answer to his brilliance.

Manuel Neuer was supposed to provide the last - and best - line of defence but although his skills were sufficient to keep out Luis Suarez and Dani Alves in one-on-one situations before the break, Messi was another matter. Even Neuer was forced to understand his place in the scheme of things. Beaten at his near post for the opener. Lobbed at close quarters for Barca's - and Messi's - second.

MESSI'S NUMBERS

If numbers are your thing, Messi has plenty of them for you too. That's 53 goals for the season and 77 in total in the Champions League, moving back above Cristiano Ronaldo to top that particular list. Guardiola had hoped to stop Messi getting on the ball but there were 81 touches and 10 completed dribbles, equalling his own knockout stage record this season.

More importantly, there were also those two goals and the one assist that leave Guardiola's Bayern on the ropes. Down but not out... and a manager who remains unapologetic about his approach. "The best way to defend is to attack," he said afterwards. "I could not come here and shut up shop."

Barca counterpart and friend Luis Enrique agreed. "Guardiola's tactics were according to his style, his team and his philosophy."

It's a philosophy that Catalonia fell in love with. One they're continuing to enjoy both without him and because of him. Whatever the thoughts on his efforts in Bavaria, in Barcelona at least, Pep Guardiola leaves with his reputation for all that's good about football firmly intact. Lionel Messi's reputation, barely believably, has only been enhanced.

What can you do when the devil you created has grown and upgraded since you left it.

You can only go at it and hope for the best. I guess.

But Messi sha!!!

Ps: Pep did dis to himself. He created a strong Barca team, then left. And now he has returned to face a even stronger team that has taken tikitaka(Pep's Philosophy) to the next level.

Anyday and anytime Messi's magical wand is on display,he is simply unstoppable.

No player is unstoppable but that's my opinion. .

If you want to stop Messi from pulling his stunts, use the diamond midfield..

The diamond midfield operates on a midfield with 3 midfielders.. A perfect example is the UCL match with Chelsea were Roberto Di Matteo employed.
Mikel served as a pivot on which Miereles and Lampard rotated upon.

The trio combined their quality to check mate Messi.

So if you want to stop Messi, you must employ the diamond midfield to check mate him to the bearest minimum..

The only way out is the diamond midfield..

Daninya11:
No player is unstoppable but that's my opinion. .

If you want to stop Messi from pulling his stunts, use the diamond midfield..

The diamond midfield operates on a midfield with 3 midfielders.. A perfect example is the UCL match with Chelsea were Roberto Di Matteo employed.
Mikel served as a pivot on which Miereles and Lampard rotated upon.

The trio combined their quality to check mate Messi.

So if you want to stop Messi, you must employ the diamond midfield to check mate him to the bearest minimum..

The only way out is the diamond midfield..

Diamond midfield ko, Golden midfield ni.With all due respect to what you have posted there, i don't think any midfield or system can stop messi on his.Even that 2012 Chelsea team that you think caged messi didn't really cage him as it was all due to luck.I remember messi hitting the post twice that day(one with his penalty, another outside the box).Just pray he doesn't bring his A game and hope for luck

Daninya11:
No player is unstoppable but that's my opinion. .

If you want to stop Messi from pulling his stunts, use the diamond midfield..

The diamond midfield operates on a midfield with 3 midfielders.. A perfect example is the UCL match with Chelsea were Roberto Di Matteo employed.
Mikel served as a pivot on which Miereles and Lampard rotated upon.

The trio combined their quality to check mate Messi.

So if you want to stop Messi, you must employ the diamond midfield to check mate him to the bearest minimum..

The only way out is the diamond midfield..

All this Chelsea fans self think the solution to everytin is by parking the bus.

Rita5:


All this Chelsea fans self think the solution to everytin is by parking the bus.

I no be Chelsea fan ooo..
I am a lover of football..
I cited an example with Chelsea just to buttress my point. . Thank you.

And the most worst football career of messi is barcelona vs chelsea he said it. He also said "i have not seen such a team like chelsea"

Daninya11:


I no be Chelsea fan ooo..
I am a lover of football..
I cited an example with Chelsea just to buttress my point. . Thank you.

Your welcome jor

Christmasdon:
And the most worst football career of messi is barcelona vs chelsea he said it. He also said "i have not seen such a team like chelsea"

Did you notice the way the trio were making rings round him? ? That's what a diamond midfield is.

Players no matter how great they are usually have their on and off day(s),regardless of form.

Messi being a big game player was simply in the mood to play,regardless of whatever system Pep deployed or how mighty the"monster or devil"he might have created before he left Barca.

What was at stake that night was enough to spur any player on.

Daninya11:

Did you notice the way the trio were making rings round him? ? That's what a diamond midfield is.

Pep will never play a defensive minded midfield against any team,he even played with 3 defenders at the back against Barca in the 1st half,a feat no coach/team has ever dared while playing Barca.

themilanway:


Pep will never play a defensive minded midfield against any team,he even played with 3 defenders at the back against Barca in the 1st half,a feat no coach/team has ever dared while playing Barca.

Pep should have been cautious against barca. When they came in to the 2nd half, I knew they will be beaten silly by barca.. They threw away the game and gave it to Barcelona. .

Daninya11:

Pep should have been cautious against barca. When they came in to the 2nd half, I knew they will be beaten silly by barca.. They threw away the game and gave it to Barcelona. .

I disagree,you dont go to Camp Nou in an importan match like semi final to sit deep and hoping to score on. Counter,except if you are Everton........Barca will keep knocking till they score,then you wil be condenmed to do nothing but come attack them,this time you wont see what will hit you till its over.

I think the Bayern palyers didnt expressly carried out their game plan to the letter.

Lahm,Alcantra and to some extent Muller failed to get the failed to get the final ball into the box for Lewandoski,and he only time they did,Lewandoski scuffed it.

The goals they conceded were strange too...

1st goal a shot was blocked by a Barca player,the result of the counter that followed suit was a goal.

2nd goal,a Bayern payer lost the ball by the by line,Messi danced around 3-4 defenders.......

3rd goal,Mesi knocked down for Neymar......


They marched Barca poundz for poundz in midfield,that Muller and Lewandoski probably had 2 shots on goals with no target for the whole match showed Bayern's weakest link.

themilanway:


I disagree,you dont go to Camp Nou in an importan match like semi final to sit deep and hoping to score on. Counter,except if you are Everton........Barca will keep knocking till they score,then you wil be condenmed to do nothing but come attack them,this time you wont see what will hit you till its over.

I think the Bayern palyers didnt expressly carried out their game plan to the letter.

Lahm,Alcantra and to some extent Muller failed to get the failed to get the final ball into the box for Lewandoski,and he only time they did,Lewandoski scuffed it.

The goals they conceded were strange too...

1st goal a shot was blocked by a Barca player,the result of the counter that followed suit was a goal.

2nd goal,a Bayern payer lost the ball by the by line,Messi danced around 3-4 defenders.......

3rd goal,Mesi knocked down for Neymar......


They marched Barca poundz for poundz in midfield,that Muller and Lewandoski probably had 2 shots on goals with no target for the whole match showed Bayern's weakest link.

Sir, it is possible for bayern to remedy this situation in Munich

Daninya11:

Sir, it is possible for bayern to remedy this situation in Munich

I believe they can and actually want them to,but they need to put up a season performance if they are to.

Have any idea if Ribery is still at the treatment table?

themilanway:


I believe they can and actually want them to,but they need to put up a season performance if they are to.

Have any idea if Ribery is still at the treatment table?

The trio of alaba, ribery and robben are still out. They will not be available for the return leg..
It's gonna be a herculean task for them..

Daninya11:

The trio of alaba, ribery and robben are still out. They will not be available for the return leg..
It's gonna be a herculean task for them..

They need to make a miracle happen,i dont want the final to be an all Spanish affair.

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themilanway:


They need to make a miracle happen,i dont want the final to be an all Spanish affair.

Miracles happen in football but if they want to overturn the 3 goals deficit, they would have to play the best game of their lives. As it is, Barcelona players are high and confident..

Daninya11:


Miracles happen in football but if they want to overturn the 3 goals deficit, they would have to play the best game of their lives. As it is, Barcelona players are high and confident..

I agree,i wish them goodluck.

Daninya11:

Did you notice the way the trio were making rings round him? ? That's what a diamond midfield is.

See how you are talking as if Messi is the only one on the pitch. That Chelsea match, Messi was their main man wen it cums to goals and he played in the middle.

Barca of today have Neymar, Suarez wo was the highest goal scorer in d epl last season and messi now plays on the wing were your diamond watever will be ineffective. So wat are you analysing.

One more tin b4 that match Messi had not scored a single goal in the knockout stage it has been Neymar, Suarez, Rakitics n co doing the scoring. So if you put 3 players on messi how many will you put on Suarez and Neymar

When will "tikitaka" be logged in into dictionaries?


Cc: Cfcfan, Kingtom, LogoDwhiz, safarigirl - imagining messi in a stamford bridge outfit....... Does it fit?

themilanway:


They need to make a miracle happen,i dont want the final to be an all Spanish affair.

So you actually think this bayern side can actually overturn the scoreline?

Let them have their injured players back, they still won't win

daveP:
When will "tikitaka" be logged in into dictionaries?


Cc: Cfcfan, Kingtom, LogoDwhiz, safarigirl - imagining messi in a stamford bridge outfit....... Does it fit?

It doesn't fit at all

Rita5:
What can you do when the devil you created has grown and upgraded since you left it.

You can only go at it and hope for the best. I guess.

But Messi sha!!!

Ps: Pep did dis to himself. He created a strong Barca team, then left. And now he has returned to face a even stronger team that has taken tikitaka(Pep's Philosophy) to the next level.

Pep created a strong barca team but left it weak and they struggled after he left. This barca team is a different one with Messi on the right and Rakitic pulling the strings in the middle

BarcaBlood:


So you actually think this bayern side can actually overturn the scoreline?

Let them have their injured players back, they still won't win

If they can score one of the champions league fastest goal,then yes they can.

It will be very difficult but not impossible.

themilanway:


If they can score one of the champions league fastest goal,then yes they can.

It will be very difficult but not impossible.

1 goal for barca makes it harder for bayern. They didn't even have an away goal

Can you bet on bayern qualifying ?

BarcaBlood:


Pep created a strong barca team but left it weak and they struggled after he left. This barca team is a different one with Messi on the right and Rakitic pulling the strings in the middle

I actually dont rate Rakitic high,he is good but he isnt in the class of Javi Martinez or even Xabi Alonso.

When Pep left Barca they were still good to go,Martino just couldnt get the right mix with the team.Even Vilanova(RIP)won the league with them.

The difference with Pep's Barca and Enrique's Barca is Neymar-Suarez.How many goals has the front three shared among themselves this season?How many did Pedro-Villa-Messi scored in Pep's 1st season?

BarcaBlood:


1 goal for barca makes it harder for bayern. They didn't even have an away goal

Can you bet on bayern qualifying ?

I can after the 1st 10mins of the 1st half.

themilanway:

I can after the 1st 10mins of the 1st half.

So you think barca won't score after the first 10mins?
Anyway it's good you put your money where your mouth is

BarcaBlood:


So you think barca won't score after the first 10mins?

Anyway it's good you put your money where your mouth is

It wont happen.