Surprise!

Well I wasn't expecting to have anything to talk about today but I turned on my TV and surprise surprise Barcelona were on ESPN2. Unfortunately, I missed the first half but from the sounds of it I didn't miss much (at least as a Barca fan). Needless to say I saw the much more exciting half and got to see exactly why Messi is with out a doubt, unquestionably the best player in the world! Virtuoso performance, great finishing, amazing control, unequaled exuberance. A natural hat-trick.

Now, not all can be attributed alone to Messi. His first goal was largely a solo effort (and quite the effort if i do say so) but his second and third had a helping hand from Thierry Henry. Henry has been out of form and out of favor of late and he was actually a second half sub coming on for a, as I'm told, ineffective Bojan Krkic. It is wonderful to see Henry play so well and make the most of his opportunity (Zlatan Ibrahimavic suspended). Henry played his more natural role of central forward which he rarely gets to play at Barca but with this game he is making a case for more playing time and I wont be surprised to see him mid week vs. Stuttgart.

I was told that Valencia played Barca very tight in the first half and pressured high to give Barca little time or space with the ball. The second half was not the same case. Barca had time and space and got into their natural rhythm quickly with Iniesta, Xavi, and Busquets working well in the midfield together and controlling possession. And then came the first goal. Messi taking the ball on the right, dribbling toward the left between two as he cut to his right then just stops on a dime as a defender moves right past him and then Messi tricks the keeper and looks far post before slotting it home near post. Absolutely brilliant individual work and goal. He was then showing off his undershirt which I can only assume said something but I was unable to see.

Barcelona controlled most of the rest of the game except for one instance when Zigic got behind the defense and looked primed to level the match but was superbly denied by Victor Valdes. It seemed to me a chip over Valdes was obvious but Zigic chose to try to slot it far post on the ground and Valdes was able to deflect it.

While Barca were in a comfortable position with possession and control the game was still in doubt at only 1-0. There were a few chances from Henry, Xavi, Pedro, and Maxwell (hit the net but was offside). Then a Valencia defender was shown his second yellow and Barca completely took over. Henry crossed to the right side and Messi took the ball down perfectly with his first touch. He ran at the defense then cut inside (as he always does, force him outside you morons) and curled past the keeper into the far netting to make it 2-0. Then 2 minutes later a poor clearance landed to Henry who pushed the ball into space for Messi. He picked it up took a couple dribbles the finished with his right foot (holy shit he can use that one?!?!?!) just over the keepers outstretched foot.

I was very excited to see the game actually on TV as ESPN2 usually shows crap games, but was pleasantly surprised. And, of course, as a Barcelona fan I was very happy to see the team playing well and grabbing the 3 points. Also, Messi's hat-trick puts him five clear of the next highest scorer in la liga this year!!!