Barcelona 5 - 1 Panathinaikos
(0-1) 20' Govou, (1-1) 21' Messi, (2-1) 33' Villa, (3-1) 45' Messi, (4-1) 77' Pedro, (5-1) 92' Alves
For 60 seconds the Camp Nou was getting worried there. They needn't have, not when Leo Messi is in this mood. The Argentine conjured up another special performance on the biggest stage with two glorious goals, a masterful assist and a shot which hit two posts and lead to a Pedro tap-in. He even earned (and missed) a penalty with one of his trademark runs. 'La Pulga' was once again unstoppable, and Panathinaikos had no answer. Sidney Govou put the Greeks infront after twenty minutes but any lingering doubts from the shock defeat at the weekend were banished with one dink of Messis left boot, not even a minute later. Leos second was sublime, a work of art, with two one-twos on a sixpence and a thunderous finish that gave the defenders and keeper no chance. David Villa opened his Champions League account with a typically sharp finish from a corner with Pedro and Dani Alves getting on the scoresheet late on to make the scoreline a fairer reflection of the match. They were given an almighty kick up the backside on saturday but Peps men are back in business.
Bursaspor 0 - 4 Valencia
(0-1) 16' Tino Costa, (0-2) 41' Aduritz, (0-3) 68' Pablo Hernandez, (0-4) 76' Soldado
Just check out that opener from new boy Tino Costa. An absolute scorcher. His 40 yard bullet and a superb curling free kick which lead to the second set Valencia towards a commendable victory over the Turkish champions Bursaspor with a scoreline that will have been read loud and clear over in Glasgow and Manchester. I had read earlier today that Manchester United would soon be facing a 'declining Valencia' in the next Champions League matchday. No doubt judged solely on the departure of the two Davids, because they still have more than enough artillery to trouble Europes finest. Aritz Aduritz and Roberto Soldado both got on the scoresheet which will do wonders for their confidence as they seek to emerge from Villas shadow, with Pablo Hernandez poking one in after some confusion in the Turkish box. Stunning start to the season for 'Los Che'.
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