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The nightmare of Bernabeu
The Santiago Bernabeu, home to Real Madrid, one of the most unforgiving away crowds and if the opponent is Barcelona, then nothing needs to be said. The Madridistas are at their vocal best during El Clasicos, cheering their team on while jeering every bit of Barcelona’s possession.
The stature that Messi possesses makes the defence that tad too aware. Still, the Bernabeu has witnessed some classic destructive performances from Lionel Messi.
The marvellous goal against Real Madrid
Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, UEFA Champions League 2010-11, Semi-finals, II leg
Messi is the nightmare of Bernabeu, no doubt. This game was another prime example of why it is so. Messi scored two goals in the match, the second, out of this world. Just like an alchemist turns metals into gold, Messi turned a simple pass near the midfield into a goal.
The move started with a Messi pass to Sergio Busquets. Busquets saw Messi forward running movement and returned it. Messi went forward easing past Lass Diarra. He went further and turned away from Raul Albiol’s pressure. Messi had Marcelo covering from his right and Ramos trying to push him offline from his left. Messi didn’t take a split second longer for finishing when he came near Iker and pushed the ball in with his unlikely right foot.
From near the kick-off circle, it took Messi only six neat touches to beat Ramos, Lass, Arbeloa, and Casillas. A dribble move from near the midfield and Messi completed it in a mere 5 or 6 seconds. One of the best goals in the history of the Champions League.
Peter Drury’s poetic commentary is the icing on the cake.
“Messi, away from 2.. 3.. 4.. Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful. How good is he? A mere supernatural goal from Lionel Messi. He has wriggled and tiptoed his way to the gates of Wembley Stadium. He is just brilliant, the best in the world bar none.” –Peter Drury
The best Champions League finals performance ever:
Manchester United vs Barcelona, Wembley, 28th May 2011
Two teams with a rich history, going into the Champions League finals as league champions. Pep Guardiola and Alex Ferguson, two great coaches. The midfield boasting the talent of Giggs, Carrick, Xavi, and Iniesta. The Wembley pitch acted host to one of the most iconic finals in Champions League history. The title decider was no doubt, a 24 year old, who had doomed Manchester United two years back with his header in Rome.
Lionel Messi’s antics on the pitch turned out to be one of the best performance in the Champions League finals. Absolutely schooling the Manchester United defence and midfield, not giving them an edge of the ball, Lionel Messi was gliding in the pitch. It took 54 minutes for the little man to find the back of the net, with an outrageous curving long-range shot. The ball whizzed past Ferdinand, Vidic and the outstretched hand of Edwin Van Der Sar.
But the classic Lionel Messi moment was his celebration of David Villa’s goal. Smiling, down on his knees, both hands straight up towards the heavens. Lionel was at the extreme end when Eric Abidal collected the trophy but he was leading the march down to the pitch with it. One of the greatest Champions League finals performance, earning the Fans’ and the UEFA Man of the Match Award.
The hat-trick in the 4-3 win
Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, 23rd March 2014
Barcelona and Real Madrid were played out one of the most enthralling Clasicos in 2014. A goal's galore with only one separating both teams brought the very best out of the El Clasico. Lionel Messi was the deciding factor with a hat-trick that sealed Barcelona’s comeback victory. Several lead changes and equalizers made it even more thrilling.
Messi gave dangerous signs early in the game releasing Neymar on a 1v1 with his through ball. The defence didn’t bother to close him down and stayed on the conservative. Messi took full advantage of the situation, finding Iniesta with a picture-perfect pass. Iniesta smashed the ball past Diego Lopez to give Barcelona a 6th-minute lead.
Messi didn’t stop there, he pulled a 1v1 just wide, played Neymar in again behind the defence. Several chances not being converted hit Barcelona hard and Benzema scored 2 goals in as many minutes to steer Madrid in front.
The Bernabeu and Carlo Ancelotti erupted. They sat free for about 20 minutes until the little man came in front of the defence again. He moved past the physical defence of Modric, Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo all alone, found Neymar got a return pass and slid the ball past Diego Lopez. The teams went into halftime tied 2-2.
Real Madrid romped in front again following a controversial Cristiano Ronaldo penalty which should have been a free-kick. The Bernabeu celebrated again along with Ronaldo and Ramos screaming at the top of their emotions. Messi still didn’t let them be, he found Neymar with a through ball and Ramos had no choice but to foul him. It was another controversy as Ramos just smashed a hand on Neymar’s rib area and he was sent off.
Messi stepped up and put the ball out of Diego Lopez’s reach into the far right side. Messi was at the spot again in the 83rd minute following a clumsy challenge on Iniesta. Messi put it into the top right corner this time and went off kissing his chest and pointing to the sky while staring at the topmost tier of Santiago Bernabeu.
Messi’s hat-trick sunk Madrid and not for the first time in his career.
