The Centre Circle

Oh my, Barcelona are going to take some stopping in the Champion’s League this season if they keep up the rampant form of the past week. Last night they destroyed Stuttgart 4-0 in a breathtaking display of attacking play, in truth it could easily have been 10. Yet again the star of the show was Messi turning in a 5 star performance, the first of his brace of goals a rising drive from 20 yards into the top corner after drifting past a couple of defenders, the second a smart shot on the turn past Jens Lehman. The thing that struck me however was the work-rate of the team from minute one.  "We were very, very intense in all facets, very aggressive. We played a great game." commented Pep Guardiola afterwards. Too true. Barca players hunted in packs hurrying the Stuttgart players into mistakes. The high pressing game takes they played takes great discipline and it earned Barcelona the opportunity to dictate the game the way they wanted too. It was spellbinding to watch. Stuttgart hard though they tried (and they didn’t play badly) were blown away.

All the other 7 teams in the Champion’s League quarter final draw tomorrow will be hoping against hope that they don’t get drawn again Barcelona, for in this form it would mean almost certain elimination.

In French (sorry it’s not in English) – anyway c’est manifique !!!!