ICYMI, Lionel Messi lifted a sloppy Barcelona past PSV

With a stunning goal and a fortunate assist, Lionel Messi delivers another wonderful performance as Barcelona top their Champions League group.

A poor Barcelona got past PSV Eindhoven, 2-1,  thanks to some moments of brilliance from their talisman, Lionel Messi.

Hampered by a string of injuries, Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde was forced to improvise his starting line-up. Ivan Rakitic and Philippe Coutinho returned to the side after missing a couple of games. Without Luis Suarez up top, the front three consisted of Coutinho, Messi, and Dembélé who received a start after scoring an equalizer in their last game against Atletico Madrid.

PSV started the game out strong forcing Mar-Andre ter Stegen to make a couple of saves in the opening four minutes. Ter Stegen did not make things easier for himself, or the team, as the German goalkeeper had an off-night in distribution where many of his passes found PSV players with some leading directly to scoring opportunities for the Dutch side.

The teams went into the half scoreless with both having chances to open up the score. PSV’s Gastón Pereiro had his shot hit off the post in the 16th minutes after a poor giveaway from Rakitic. For Barcelona, Arturo Vidal had two shots cleared off the late in the half.

Barcelona finally broke the deadlock through none other than Lionel Messi. In the 61st minute, Messi received the ball in midfield and passed it to Dembélé on the right. The latter then gave the ball back to Messi inside the box and, surrounded by defenders, lasered a shot past the PSV keeper who had no time to react. The goal looked simple enough but Messi still had a lot to do and it was another golazo to add to the collection.

Messi struck again later in the game. In the 70th minute, Messi took a free-kick and his shot came off as a pass finding Gerard Pique in the penalty spot with the defender deflecting the shot into goal. After the game Pique claimed that the play was rehearsed during training only to have Messi say later that it was not rehearsed and it was simply a bad shot fortunate to find Pique in the end.

PSV found themselves back in the game as Luke de Jong scored with a header in the 81st minute. It was no less than what PSV deserved as they were knocking on the door and had earlier opportunities to pull the game back. Hirving Lozano had a one-on-one against Ter Stegen minutes earlier that would have made things even more complicated for a weary Barcelona defense.

Despite a hectic closing minutes, Barcelona were able to hold on and pull off a win. Having already qualified to the next round, the win means that the Catalan club will qualify at the top of their group.

Ernesto Valverde and his team got the win but if you’re a Barcelona fan, the game still left a lot of doubts. Once again, the team was unable to keep a clean sheet and the disconnect between the midfield and defense was apparent. Similar to the game against Betis, PSV always looked dangerous on the counter with Busquets being left out to dry by an ineffective Rakitic and Vidal, who played well but was more focused on attacking. It’s a problem area for Barcelona and one Valverde has yet to find a solution for.

Barcelona face Tottenham at the Camp Nou in the last game of the group stage. It won’t be an easy game with Spurs needing a win to make it out of the group. Nevertheless, expect Valverde to field a heavily rotated side with his team already through.