Wednesday October 19, 2011 Group Stage: Group H Finished Camp Nou

FC Barcelona 2 - 0 Viktoria Plzen

  • Iniesta 10’
  • Villa 82’

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  1. Barca wasteful but still win

    Barca wasteful but still win

    A wasteful Barcelona beat a stubborn Viktoria Plzen side 2-0 at the Camp Nou in Group H of the Champions League. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • FC Barcelona
    • Viktoria Plzen
    • 90+3 FULL TIME. BARCELONA WIN 2-0! A very deserving win for the champions of Europe. It could have been more, but Barcelona's finishing was very wasteful. Plzen played their part defending heriocally throughout. But Barca march on.
    • 90+2' I don't know what Messi has to do tonight to score, he takes it round a couple of players on the edge of the box before firing a yard wide.
    • 90+1 The speed of passing from both sides has slowed down, as the game meanders to a close.
    • 89' Plzen look like they are happy to take the 2-0 loss.
    • 88' Barcalona continue to play keep ball in plzen's half, the ball finally finds its way to Messi, who, on the edge of the area uncharacteristically blazes well over.
    • 87' Villa comes off for Cuenca
    • 85' Pedro scampers down the right before delightfully cutting inside onto his left, with the goal at his mercy he strangely decides to square it to Villa, but over hits his pass and Plzen scramble it clear.
    • 84' Darida comes on for the very hard working Petrzela.
    • 83' Iniesta comes off for Keita.
    • 81' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! David Villa makes it 2-0 and puts the game to bed. Messi is released through on goal, but his shot is superbly blocked by a recovering Limbersky. The rebound falls to Villa, who side foots the ball past Cech.
    • 80' Villa tries to feed Pedro, but the Spanish international is given offside. Although replays show he was onside.
    • 79' Messi hobbles off the pitch, and then is waved to come back on, he doesn't look too fresh though.
    • 77' Big injury concern for Barcelona, Messi goes down after a challenge form Horvath. Although initially the Argintinean carried on playing, he has clearly tweaked something as he stays on the ground for a good while.
    • 76' Iniesta fires a hard hit pass to Villa on the left, but he miss controls it and Plzen are able to clear.
    • 74' Barca continue to keep possession with ease in the Plzen half.
    • 73' Plzen go for it and bring on an attacking midfielder. Fillo on for Pilar.
    • 72' Barca play keep ball in the midfield.
    • 71' Guardiola continues to urge his side forward on the side lines.
    • 70' There's a brief stoppage in play as Horvath recieves some treatment after colliding with Iniesta.
    • 69' Plzen have defended superbly all night, and continue to keep their shape.
    • 67' Barca continue to create chances but continue to waste them.
    • 65' Messi is put clean through, he audatiously dinks the ball over the onrushing Cech, but just as he is about to roll the ball into an empty net, Limbersky gets back to make a terrific last gasp challenge.
    • 63' Alves is released down the right, his first time ball across the six yard box is begging to be tapped into an open net. But an outsretched Messi just can't get a touch.
    • 61' Best chance of the game so far for Plzen. An aimless ball is played into the Barca box. Under no pressure Valdes and Busquets get in each others way. The ball hits Busquets and almost falls to Duris, but luckily for Barca it falls into the arms of Valdes.
    • 59' Unbelievable play from the world footballer of the year. Messi recieves the ball down the right. He beats one defender for pace, delightfully dinks the ball over another before surging into the area and taking it round a third defender. He then releases a shot with the outside of his foot from a tight angle which comes back off the outside of the post. Unthinkable play which deserved a goal.
    • 57' Penalty shout for Plzen. Villa catches Petrzela on the right hand side, bang on the edge of the area, although the Plzen player falls into the area. Never the less the referee gives nothing.
    • 56' Plzen make a substitution. Duris comes on for Bakos.
    • 55' Bakos is played through down the right, but Valdes is alert to the danger, rushing out of his area to clear the ball before Bakos can get to it.
    • 53' Messi exquisitely takes it past three Plzen players, as he is arguably constantly fouled by all of them in the area. To his credit the Argentine stays on his feet and gets a shot away, but it is well saved by Cech.
    • 52' Plzen mount their first attack of the second half, but it comes to nothing as Abidal intercepts a Petrzela pass.
    • 51' After pinball in the box, the ball falls to Messi, who is shoulder barged to the floor by Limbersky, but the ref waves away shouts for a penalty.
    • 50' It's attack vs defence at the moment, Barca continue to try to cut open a very well organised Plzen defence.
    • 49' Barca continue to probe, before this time Petrzela makes a great challenge on Villa.
    • 48' Barca continue to work the ball on the edge of the Plzen area, before Limbersky cuts out an Iniesta pass.
    • 47' The Catalan's play keep ball inside the Plzen half.
    • 46' Barca get the second half underway.
    • 45+2' The half time whistle goes. Barca lead, but it could have been by so, so many more. Give Plzen credit though, they have kept fighting and made it as tough as they possibly can for the reigning champions.
    • 45+1' Messi hits the inside of the post with an outswinging right footed free kick. Plzen scramble the rebound clear.
    • 45' Messi is pushed over on te edge of the Plzen box. Free kick to Barca.......
    • 44' Barca could have had 7 this half, but it remains just 1-0.
    • 43' Pedro this time is played through, he takes it round the onrushing Cech, but this time his touch is too heavy and it goes out for a goal kick.
    • 41' Messi gives the ball to Busquets on the edge of the Plzen area, he delightfully lifts the ball over the Plzen defenders back to Messi. The Argintinean gets to the bye line before cutting inside onto his left foot and shooting just wide. Lovely play.
    • 39' Barca play some more keep ball, before Xavi shoots from 30 yards well over the bar.
    • 38' Great build up play again by Barca, the ball eventually finds Pedro on the right, inside the area, his shot is deflected just wide.
    • 36' Real chance for Barca. A through ball is played towards Villa, but it is intercepted by Bystron, but his diversion goes straight to Pedro who's reaction shot goes over the bar. It was an open goal as Cech had gone to try and collect the through ball. Pedro didn't know too much about it though.
    • 34' The move eventually comes to an end when Villa miss controls and it goes out for a goal kick.
    • 33' Barca play keep ball on the edge of the Plzen box, but the Czech side do well and contain Barcalona.
    • 32' Messi is given the ball on the right but is well tackled by Limbersky.
    • 31' Plzen keep the ball well, and switch the ball to the right, Jiracek gets a cross into the Barca area, but Busquets does well to head it back to Valdes.
    • 30' Although the Czech side could easily be about 5-0 down already.
    • 29' Plzen have come into the game more in the last two minutes.
    • 28' A glimmer of hope for Plzen. Kolar is played clean through, but is half a yard offside. Dangerous game to play from the Barca defence.
    • 27' After another delightful one two with Villa, Messi finds himself bearing down on goal, this time Cech does well to force the Argintinean wide before making a smart low save.
    • 25' Villa recieves the ball on the left side of the edge of the area. He switches the ball onto his right foot and fires in a curling shot which goes inches wide of Cech's left hand post.
    • 24' Barca still controlling all of the game.
    • 22' Very good penalty shout for Barca. Messi plays a one two with Villa inside the area, but as Messi looks to run onto Villa's pass he is obstructed by Bystron. However, luckily for Plzen the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. Both Messi and Villa were well onside.
    • 20' Messi is almost put clean through by Villa. Cech is alert to the danger though, scampering out of his goal to collect the ball from the Argentineans feet.
    • 19' Villa and Iniesta play a one two on the edge of the area, before Vila is well tackled on the bye line by Rajtoral.
    • 18' Barca continue to pass the ball around midfield. Plzen struggling to get tackles in.
    • 17' Pedro finds some space down the right before cutting inside and unleashing a left footed shot from the edge of the area which goes narrowly wide of Cech's left hand post.
    • 16' Bystron heads the corner clear for Plzen.
    • 15' Messi is tackled on the edge of the area as Barca win a corner.
    • 14' Barca having all the play as expected.
    • 13' Another chance for Barcalona. Iniesta weaves his way to the bye line before cutting the ball back to Villa, who, on the volley, smashes it well over the bar.
    • 11' Plzen have their first attack but Bakos is flagged offside.
    • 9' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! What a goal it was too, typically Barcelona. Iniesta and Messi play a delightful exchange of passes on the edge of the area. The Spanish midfielder who's played through, looks like he's going to shoot with his right foot but instead audaciously dinks the ball onto his left, fooling all defenders, before rolling the ball past a helpless Cech.
    • 7' As ever they take the free kick quickly, and work it again to Messi, who, from the edge of the area tries to chip Cech, but the Plzen keeper reads it, and catches it comfortably above his head.
    • 6' Barca play it from the back before the ball reaches Messi in Plzen's half. He is brought down by Pilar.
    • 5' The pattern of the game is already clear. Barca are playing keep ball whilst Plzen desperately try and fend off their attacks.
    • 4' For the first time in the game, Plzen survive a minute without conceding a chance. Barca don't look in a very forgiving mood though.
    • 3' Barca could have been 2-0 up already. Alves and Messi play a delightful one two on the edge of the area. With the Plzen defence caught flat footed the Brazilian right back fires a shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat. Should have done better.
    • 2' From the kick off the ball goes straight out of play. Barca are quick to get into their stride as Xavi, Villa and Iniesta all link up beautifully before xavi puts the ball over when he should have scored.
    • 1' Plzen get us underway, in what is the biggest game in the clubs history.
    • 19.43 The two sides are both on the pitch, as that well known Champions League anthem blasts around the Camp Nou stadium. Barcelona line up in their usual home strip of dark red and blue. Whilst Plzen line up in all white with a blue - and Tottenham'esque trim.
    • 19.40 Just 5 minutes away from kick off at the Camp Nou, as Barcelona look to continue their quest to become the first ever side to retain the Champions League.
    • 19.33 Meanwhile Viktoria Plzen lie in 4th place in their domestic league, 9 points off the top. Despite this being their first ever appearence in Europe's premier competition they haven't embarrassed themselves. Winning three qualifying rounds, and picking up one point from their first two Champions League games.
    • 19.27 Barcalona are still unbeaten this year, and sit at the top of La Liga with five wins and two draws. But they failed to win their first home game in the Champions League, drawing 2-2 with AC Milan. They bounced back in devastating fashion by beating BATE 5-0 two weeks ago. They will hope to continue that type of form against Plzen.
    • 19.20 The Czech Champions League debutants make just one change to the team that beat FC Slovacko on Friday. Plzen's top league goal scorer Michal Duris drops to the bench as midfielder Vaclav Pilar replaces him. Coach Pavel Vrba looks to shut up shop reverting to a 4-5-1 formation from his usual 4-4-2.
    • 19.15 Although many expect Barca to canter to an easy victory, they name pretty much a full stregnth side. They make just three changes from their 3-0 win over Real Racing Club at the weekend. Abidal starts instead of the injured Pique, while Busquets and Correia come in for the benched Maxwell and Thiago.
    • 19.10 The big team news from the Camp Nou is that despite returning to training on Monday, Cesc Fabregas doesn't even make the squad of 18.
    • 19.08 BARCELONA: Valdes, Correia, Abidal, Mascherano, Dani Alves, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro, Villa, Messi - subs - Puyol, Pinto, Keita, Fontas, Thiago, Maxwell, Cuenca /// VIKTORIA PLZEN: Cech, Limbersky, Cisovsky, Bystron, Rajtoral, Jiracek, Horvath, Pilar, Kolar, Petzela, Bakos - subs - Reznik, Fillo, Sevinsky, Trapp, Darida, Duris, Pavlik.
    • 18.59 Czech side Plzen are looking to pull off what would arguably be the shock of all Champions League shocks tonight as they face the might of Barcelona in the Camp Nou. Plzen are no mugs though, they got through three qualifying rounds to reach the group stages, knocking out experienced Champions League teams Copenhagen and Rosenborg along the way.
    • 18.53 Welcome to Live match updates from the group H clash between defending Champions League champions Barcelona, and Czech champions Viktoria Plzen. Kick off is at 7.45pm.

  • Summary

    • 90+2' I don't know what Messi has to do tonight to score, he takes it round a couple of players on the edge of the box before firing a yard wide.
    • 85' Pedro scampers down the right before delightfully cutting inside onto his left, with the goal at his mercy he strangely decides to square it to Villa, but over hits his pass and Plzen scramble it clear.
    • 81' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! David Villa makes it 2-0 and puts the game to bed. Messi is released through on goal, but his shot is superbly blocked by a recovering Limbersky. The rebound falls to Villa, who side foots the ball past Cech.
    • 65' Messi is put clean through, he audatiously dinks the ball over the onrushing Cech, but just as he is about to roll the ball into an empty net, Limbersky gets back to make a terrific last gasp challenge.
    • 63' Alves is released down the right, his first time ball across the six yard box is begging to be tapped into an open net. But an outsretched Messi just can't get a touch.
    • 61' Best chance of the game so far for Plzen. An aimless ball is played into the Barca box. Under no pressure Valdes and Busquets get in each others way. The ball hits Busquets and almost falls to Duris, but luckily for Barca it falls into the arms of Valdes.
    • 59' Unbelievable play from the world footballer of the year. Messi recieves the ball down the right. He beats one defender for pace, delightfully dinks the ball over another before surging into the area and taking it round a third defender. He then releases a shot with the outside of his foot from a tight angle which comes back off the outside of the post. Unthinkable play which deserved a goal.
    • 57' Penalty shout for Plzen. Villa catches Petrzela on the right hand side, bang on the edge of the area, although the Plzen player falls into the area. Never the less the referee gives nothing.
    • 53' Messi exquisitely takes it past three Plzen players, as he is arguably constantly fouled by all of them in the area. To his credit the Argentine stays on his feet and gets a shot away, but it is well saved by Cech.
    • 45+1' Messi hits the inside of the post with an outswinging right footed free kick. Plzen scramble the rebound clear.
    • 43' Pedro this time is played through, he takes it round the onrushing Cech, but this time his touch is too heavy and it goes out for a goal kick.
    • 41' Messi gives the ball to Busquets on the edge of the Plzen area, he delightfully lifts the ball over the Plzen defenders back to Messi. The Argintinean gets to the bye line before cutting inside onto his left foot and shooting just wide. Lovely play.
    • 38' Great build up play again by Barca, the ball eventually finds Pedro on the right, inside the area, his shot is deflected just wide.
    • 36' Real chance for Barca. A through ball is played towards Villa, but it is intercepted by Bystron, but his diversion goes straight to Pedro who's reaction shot goes over the bar. It was an open goal as Cech had gone to try and collect the through ball. Pedro didn't know too much about it though.
    • 27' After another delightful one two with Villa, Messi finds himself bearing down on goal, this time Cech does well to force the Argintinean wide before making a smart low save.
    • 25' Villa recieves the ball on the left side of the edge of the area. He switches the ball onto his right foot and fires in a curling shot which goes inches wide of Cech's left hand post.
    • 22' Very good penalty shout for Barca. Messi plays a one two with Villa inside the area, but as Messi looks to run onto Villa's pass he is obstructed by Bystron. However, luckily for Plzen the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. Both Messi and Villa were well onside.
    • 17' Pedro finds some space down the right before cutting inside and unleashing a left footed shot from the edge of the area which goes narrowly wide of Cech's left hand post.
    • 13' Another chance for Barcalona. Iniesta weaves his way to the bye line before cutting the ball back to Villa, who, on the volley, smashes it well over the bar.
    • 9' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! What a goal it was too, typically Barcelona. Iniesta and Messi play a delightful exchange of passes on the edge of the area. The Spanish midfielder who's played through, looks like he's going to shoot with his right foot but instead audaciously dinks the ball onto his left, fooling all defenders, before rolling the ball past a helpless Cech.
    • 3' Barca could have been 2-0 up already. Alves and Messi play a delightful one two on the edge of the area. With the Plzen defence caught flat footed the Brazilian right back fires a shot over the bar with just the keeper to beat. Should have done better.
    • 2' From the kick off the ball goes straight out of play. Barca are quick to get into their stride as Xavi, Villa and Iniesta all link up beautifully before xavi puts the ball over when he should have scored.
    • 19.10 The big team news from the Camp Nou is that despite returning to training on Monday, Cesc Fabregas doesn't even make the squad of 18.
    • 19.08 BARCELONA: Valdes, Correia, Abidal, Mascherano, Dani Alves, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro, Villa, Messi - subs - Puyol, Pinto, Keita, Fontas, Thiago, Maxwell, Cuenca /// VIKTORIA PLZEN: Cech, Limbersky, Cisovsky, Bystron, Rajtoral, Jiracek, Horvath, Pilar, Kolar, Petzela, Bakos - subs - Reznik, Fillo, Sevinsky, Trapp, Darida, Duris, Pavlik.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • FC Barcelona

    Manager: Josep Guardiola

  • Viktoria Plzen

    Manager: Pavel Vrba

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.8 5
      Defenders
      7 7
      7.1 6
      6.9 6
      6.2 6
      Midfielders
      6.8 7
      7.8 6
      Goal Substitution Out85′ 7.7 8
      Strikers
      7 7
      Goal Substitution Out88′ 7.4 8
      7.8 8
      Subs
      Substitution In85′ 7 -
      Substitution In88′ 5.6 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6 7
      Defenders
      6.2 6
      6 6
      6.3 6
      6 7
      Midfielders
      6.3 6
      6.2 6
      Substitution Out86′ 6.1 7
      6 6
      Substitution Out75′ 6 5
      Strikers
      Substitution Out58′ 6.1 6
      Subs
      Substitution In75′ 4.8 5
      Substitution In86′ 4.3 -
      Substitution In58′ 2.8 5

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