<span class="titolo">Messi Wins The Day As Barça Cruise</span></p> <span class="sommario">FC Barcelona 3 - 0 Atlético de Madrid FC Barcelona eased to victory and extended their winning run against a lacklustre Atlético de Madrid side thanks to goals from Deco, Lionel Messi and Xavi.</span></p> The hotly-anticipated battle between Messi and Sergio Agüero was comfortably won by the home team's Argentinian star as the visitors' man-of-the-moment was substituted after being unable to produce any magic. Atlético's record in Camp Nou in recent seasons was also cited as a reason for them to have confidence, but two early goals ended any thoughts that they had of causing a surprise this time around. Javier Aguirre's side began brightly and looked the more attack-minded in the opening stages and were given more space than perhaps Frank Rijkaard would have liked. Despite their early pressure, the visitors were unable to find a direct route to goal and only Maniche's long range effort early on caused Víctor Valdés any concern. As Barça grew in confidence they were gifted an opening as Messi cut back inside Mariano Pernía on the right flank before sending a low pass into the area. Christian Abbiati looked set to comfortably collect, but the Italian spilled the ball and Deco was on hand to tuck home from close range with 15 minutes on the clock. It was a disaster for Atlético and within five minutes they were two goals behind and their chances of taking anything from the game disappearing fast. Thierry Henry rolled the ball back for Messi who made a sudden surge forward and, after a neat interchange with Ronaldinho, was able to take aim and guide the ball across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. The second strike lifted the home team and they did not look back as they clicked into gear in midfield and dominated the encounter with slick passing that had Atlético scurrying around to ensure they did not concede more. At the back the Blaugrana were also standing firm as any sortie forward by the away team was quashed as Valdés continued to enjoy a quiet afternoon. Seven minutes before the break, Ronaldinho was given a golden chance to add a third when Messi's pass along the area was nudged on by Deco, but as the Brazilian met the ball on the left he fired it wide of the near post. Messi then fired a shot straight at Abbiati after receiving the ball on the right of the area thanks to a fine piece of skill from Ronaldinho, who had lifted a pass over the Atlético defence. Five minutes after the break, Deco forced Abbiati into a save as he drove goalwards, but the second period was to be nowhere near as intense as the first. Barça had their cushion and were happy for the pace of the game to be slowed in order for them to keep possession and dictate the rhythm. Valdés was not called into action against until the 64th minute when Maxi Rodríguez's shot looked bound for the top corner only for the Catalan keeper to make a flying save to tip it away. Moments earlier Agüero had been replaced by Luis García after an unimpressive display by the Argentinian forward, although he cannot be singled out for having no luck in front of goal. Simão then went close with a lobbed effort from close range, but that was as close as Atlético would come in the final minutes. There was time for a sudden upturn in pace by the hosts as Deco again tested Abbiati before he set up Messi who saw his effort turned onto the post by the keeper. In the final minute there was some icing added to Barça's cake when Deco and Messi exchanged passes before the Portuguese international slotted the ball down the left for Dos Santos whose first time pass across goal was met by Xavi to put Barça three goals ahead.</p> <span class="titolo"></span></p>
I can't wait till they play Real Madrid.</p> I'll be rooting for Real to beat Barca. (hopefully pretty bad lol)</p>
<font face="Arial" size="2">me too though probs not going to happen but their is always hope lol</font></p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DDRickyDD)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Brilliant Display!!!!</p> </div></p> It was actually.</p> But its not fair to the other teams. They're so rich, they can afford pretty much anyone. Have 3 players that you could argue are either top 10 or top 15 in the world.</p> I wish there was a cap limit like in the nba, where teams could only spend so much money, that way we'd have more competitive teams and it wouldn't be so much loopsided.</p> </p>
