UEFA Champions League 2019/20, Borussia Dortmund 0-0 FC Barcelona: Hits and Flops

#3 Flop: Lionel Messi

Messi was not up to the mark against Dortmund

After passing a medical test, Lionel Messi was welcomed back by Barcelona into the first team set up. Before a ball had even been kicked, Barcelona had an advantage. Although he started on the bench, his sheer presence alone clearly put the fear factor in the Dortmund team.

After a relatively even first half, Messi attempted to make his presence felt in the second half. Despite an initial upstart in tempo, Barcelona soon returned into their shell as a youthful and exuberant Dortmund side overran them in the final quarter of the game.

Despite a few touches of brilliance, the great Messi looked unfit and off the pace as Dortmund simply marked Messi out of effectiveness.

In his 30-minute cameo, the returning Messi completed two dribbles, completed 18 passes and attempted one shot on target in an uninspiring return to first-team football.