Basle 0 Barça 5
Wednesday, 22 October 08, 04:09 PM · Comments (17)
Barça march on towards the last sixteen of the Champions League after a 0-5 victory in Basle. Say what you like about the weakness of the opposition, it is not every day that you can score five away from home in Europe. This was a magnificent display of attacking football which tore holes in the Swiss defence, and only a sloppy last half an hour spoilt the performance.
Pep Guardiola made several changes to the starting lineup with Henry, Eto'o and Iniesta all rested, a return for Leo Messi, Xavi and Puyol, and a first start of the season for both Sylvinho and Bojan Krkic who celebrated by scoring two of the goals.
Barça began the game in terrific form with Messi looking unstoppable, Xavi controlling things in midfield and Hleb creating problems on the left. In the fourth minute Messi ran infield from the right and fed Hleb on the left, Hleb's cross found Messi again but the Argentinian could find no room to shoot so he dribbled out before finding Alves coming up on the right, Alves crossed to the far post where Messi had continued his run to side foot past Costanzo in the Basle goal.
Barça had the ball in the net again on eight minutes but Bojan was given offside. In the 10th minute Basle created their first chance when Streller got into the area but he overran the ball giving Valdés the chance to save at his feet. On 15 minutes a magnificent ball from Xavi found Busquets in Messi's position running into the box, the youngster controlled well with the outside of his left foot before slotting the ball under the keeper with the same foot for Barça's second.
Xavi then came close after good work from Hleb, then in the 22nd minute Barça scored the third. Messi played the ball into Bojan who took the ball across the face of the penalty area before firing back across the keeper into the far corner. Bojan should have had another after half an hour after a combination between Messi and Hleb, and after Bojan's effort was saved Busquets laid the ball back to Alves who also saw his shot saved by Costanzo.
The ref then ignored a clear penalty on Messi, Bojan missed a good chance from a corner, and Hleb forced another good save from the keeper before half time. The second half began with Valdés dropping a cross but Barça went straight up the other end, Busquets found Bojan with a great through ball and Bojan finished coolly. Then on 48 minutes Hleb pushed the ball into Messi who laid it back for Xavi to drive home from 20 yards.
It is pretty normal for a team to relax after going five goals up and the rest of the game was pretty forgettable. Bojan missed another good chance scooping the ball over the keeper but also over the crossbar. Basle began to create a few chances but Puyol and Sylvinho both came to the rescue when Valdés looked to be beaten. Near the end Henry missed a good chance when he headed Alves's cross wide. And in the 90th minute Valdés made a good save when it looked like Basle would grab a consolation.
Besides the last half hour Barça played like champions today and this win takes the run of victories to eight. The only worry was Valdés dropping a couple of crosses but all in all it was an excellent performance. Alves was better today setting up the first goal, Sergio Busquets added a goal and an assist to another good battling display in midfield, Bojan scored two though he might have had a couple more, while Messi and Xavi both continue to be in superb form.
With the group more or less sewn up Barça will now be able to concentrate on looking for top spot in La Liga, starting this Saturday with the game against Almeria.
Barça: Valdés 6; Alves 7, Marquez 6.5 (Caceres m52, 6), Puyol 7, Sylvinho 6; Busquets 7.5, Toure 7 (V. Sanchez m66, 6) Xavi 8 (Henry m56, 6); Messi 8.5, Bojan 7, Hleb 7.
Goals: m4 Messi 0-1, m15 Busquets 0-2, m22 Bojan 0-3, m46 Bojan 0-4, m48 Xavi 0-5
No Barça players were booked.
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If you havent noticed already, all the goals were scored by players in the barca youth acadamy 
this was an excellent performance. not much more to elaborate on. basel were extremely poor but it still takes something to make a club which dominates a european domestic leauge to look like such complete and utter amateurs. the last 20 min was super sloopy but it is only human to drop ur game when u honestly get such little opposition.
plus sides alves showed he can actually cross the ball with accuracy at times. his pass to messi was so sick, so skillful and that lovely look away was priceless. bojan was good, could have more but he did better than i thought he would being alone front man. and often the more defensive players get overlooked in such an attacking game, but Yaya was magnificent. he was always there to pick up a stray ball, won it back countless times, filled in gaps that alves or sylvinho left, he was worldclass.
there was only one barca player who looked poor tonight, a usual suspect really, henry. he was nowhere. had often had a good touch, found space, then just panicked or got confused and messed up. only one semi decent move right at the end when he cut in and shot. really, even the sky guys were on his case, which takes a lot i reckon.
lastly, hleb was rusty but acceptably so with his injury, new nature in the team and the slippery surface. the one thing that was clear is that he is still very scared and unconfident shooting, he often should have gone for a shot and went for an extra pass. he needs to work on that
great night though! was a joy to watch first half, messi was rampant, xavi his usual phenomeon self and the players were all happy and motivated. good good signs.
Rotations aren't so bad afterall!!!
oh damn 5-0 away from home?! Anybody got a video link to this genius performance.
Me thinks guardiola is too good for barcelona
what a washout it was....and I predicted it to be 2 to 1 lol...I think I should just predict 2-1 everytime....
my men of the match:
1. Messi
2. Xavi
3. Bojan
I'd reiterate my previous statements regaring the rotations - it is a GOOD thing that will only benefit us in the long run.
As usual, Xavi is god 
Great game by the boys...can't fault anyone, doing the business so far and momentum with us, looking great. Pep is to be congratulated so far.
17 Comments · Add yours
hahaha 1st
basel to the cleaners if u lose 5-0 at home what the fuck u gona du at camp nou