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Match

Marcador del partit

Date: Wednesday, 19 Sep
Competition: ???label.competicio1???
Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona

Resultat:

FC Barcelona: 3
O. Lyon: 0

Match report

Match Report
Pre-Match

Match Report

Goals

1-0 Clerc, en own goal (min 21)
2-0 Messi (min 82)
3-0 Henry (min 90)

Barça ease to impressive win (3-0)

Jordi Clos

Thierry Henry scored his first official goal for FC Barcelona as the Blaugrana defeated Lyon in a game that saw Giovani Dos Santos and Bojan Krkic make their Champions League debuts.

Frank Rijkaard's side were keen to start their European campaign with three points and they cruised to victory after François Clerc scored an own goal before Leo Messi and Henry completed the tally.

Defensive outlook

Olympique Lyonnais set themselves out to defend in numbers as they maintained a back four while employing a five-man midfield and leaving one player forward to plough a lone furrow against the Barça rearguard. The home team took their time accustomising themselves to the negative tactics of their opponents, but soon began to show flashes of fast flowing football that was eventually to lead to victory. Éric Abidal proved down the left flank and he provided the first two chances with crosses that caused the visitors problems.

Impressive Messi

Barça maintained control in what was not an easy game to keep playing at a high rhtyhm, but Leo Messi son began to come into his own and it was he who created the opening goal of the evening. The Argentinian picked up a short corner on the left and after exchanging passes with Ronaldinho edged his way into the area only to see his low cross turned into his own net by Clerk.

Making up

At 1-0 it was expected that Lyon may come out of their shells and they did edge forward on the odd sortie, but they had to be watchful at the back. Clerc went some way to making up for his own goal when Ronaldinho floated the ball over the Lyon back line where Messi pulled it down before turning back inside Mathieu Bodmer and looked set to just roll the ball home only for Clerc to race back and fling his body in the way. Henry strived to create an opening at one end while Rafa Márquez and Gabi Milito continued to look comfortable as they contained the visitors' attack with some ease at the other.

Slowing down

After the break, the Blaugrana were able to find slightly more space and that created the opening chance of the second period. Ronaldinho and Xavi combined to feed Messi down the right, but the youngster lifted his effort high over the bar. Barça were winning the ball back quickly each time that they lost it and that continued to make life difficult for Lyon. Things did slow down around the hour mark and Alain Perrin looked to change things around by introducing Milan Baros, but the Czech Republic striker did not have much joy against the Barça defence either. Ronaldinho was then replaced by Andrés Iniesta and the midfielder certainly lifted the home team.

Final thrust

Henry went close in the 68th minute as he warmed Vercoutre's gloves and Deco then tested the keeper with a drive soon after. As Lyon showed no sign of breaking out and changing their style, FC Barcelona continued to plug away and finally earned their reward with nine minutes left on the clock. Iniesta picked up Deco's pass before finding Messi unmarked who in turn rolled the ball into the far corner the net from the edge of the area nine minutes from time. Dos Santos was then introduced and Krkic followed him onto the pitch as the young duo tasted Champions League football for the first time. The Mexican enjoyed the experience as he authored the third and final goal of the night as he ran onto Gianluca Zambrotta's pass down the line and as Anthony Réveillère slipped the young Mexican moved into the area before cutting back to give himself a clear shot at goal. Vercoutre parried the shot but Henry was quickest to the rebound and stroked in his first official goal for the Balugrana and the delight and relief was evident as the Frenchman wheeled away.

Preview

Injury troubles

Both Barça and Lyon are missing some important players tonight. The home side are without any of the injured Eto'o, Edmílson and Puyol. But things are no better for the French champions, who cannot call upon their regular goalkeeper Coupet, and Cris, Müller and Fred are also out.

Let the show begin

Roger Bogunyà

Barça are back in the most important club competition in the world, the Champions League. It all gets under way tonight at the Camp Nou against a first class side in Lyon, a team that promises to add to the attacking flair of this opening fixture.

Barça and Lyon meet at the Camp Nou (20:45, C+) in a game that may only be the first of six games each, but that could bear heavily on the final outcome of the group. Both sides have strong hopes of making the final sixteen.

Need for support

Barça are at home, which should be an advantage, and as Frank Rijkaard said in his pre-match conference, the fans need to be united for such an important game. After two draws in three league matches, there may be a sense of disillusionment, but right now what the team needs are positive vibes.

Messi back in action

With the supporters behind them, it is all so much easier for the players. And if a boost is required, then that has come in the form of Leo Messi. The Argentinian is fully recovered from injury and is ready to grace Europe with his usual magic. Márquez is also back in the side, meaning there are no places for either Ezquerro or Gudjohnsen.

Champions six times over

But Barça are up against a tricky rival in Olympique Lyon, who have won six French titles in a row, although their form in Europe has never quite reflected their dominance back home.

Juninho leads the show, one of the finest free kick specialists in the world, and Lyon are not a side that likes to sit back and defend its territory. The Brazilian made it clear that Olympique will be looking to win possession of the ball and govern the midfield. If that turns out to be the case, then we can expect an explosive encounter tonight.

The visitors have hit on good form again, and after four consecutive wins, have shot up to second in the table. That is despite a similarly disappointing start to their domestic campaign to that which Barça are currently going through. Lyon have managed to pick their game up, now it is time for Barça to do the same.

Possible debuts

September 19 will be a special day for all of Giovani, Bojan and Milito, as none of them have ever played in the Champions League before. Touré Yaya, Henry and Abidal, meanwhile, are all seasoned campaigners on Europe’s biggest stage, but this will be the first time they have been here in a Barça shirt. For the latter, of course, it will be a particularly special night, because he will be playing his first Champions League game for Barça against the side he left just a few months ago.