Champions League Group G: Barcelona 3 - 2 Spartak Moscow

By MASSIMO MARZOCCHI
Published on 20/09/2012 00:45

Lionel Messi started his and Barcelona’s Champions League campaign with a bang when he struck twice to secure a 3-2 comeback win for the favourites at home to Spartak Moscow in their Group G opener.

Scorers:

Barcelona - Tello (14), Messi (71, 80)

Spartak Moscow - Dani Alves (30 og), Romulo (58)

Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia)

Attendance: 82,241

Barca were flirting with a first home defeat in 17 European games when Spartak took a shock 2-1 lead in the 59th minute at the Nou Camp before Messi, top scorer in the competition the past four seasons, levelled 19 minutes from time.

The Argentine world player of the year was set up by Cristian Tello, scorer of the home side’s 14th-minute opener, and then nodded in the winner in the 80th minute from a centre by substitute Alexis Sanchez.

It was an impressive comeback from the La Liga side, bidding for a third European crown in five years, and ensured a winning debut in the competition for new coach Tito Vilanova.

“We deserved to win but it was a really tough game,” said Messi. “It’s not easy when they defend so deep and you can’t find the spaces,” added the 25-year-old, who has now scored 109 goals in his last 100 official matches for Barca.

“They were comfortable defending in their penalty area and they have very strong and quick forwards and can break quickly. Things got complicated but we kept pressing and we managed to turn it around.”

Spartak were level 15 minutes after Tello’s opener without even having to shoot on goal when full-back Daniel Alves turned the ball into his own net.

The visitors’ ultra-defensive tactics frustrated Barca and they snatched a shock breakaway goal in the 59th minute when Brazilian midfielder Romulo shrugged off Adriano’s challenge and finished low past Victor Valdes.