Lionel Messi scored his 100th European goal as 10-man Barcelona continued their impressive run in Champions League Group D with a 3-1 win over Olympiacos at Camp Nou, according to CBS Sports. Barcelona gained absolute dominance in the Match while creating chances up front. It was center back Dimitris Nikolaou's own goal that put the home team in front in the eighteenth minute. Minutes before half-time Gerard Pique was shown the way out following his aggressive challenge on an Olympiacos player. However, their deficit in the field never seemed to have affected Barca as they doubled the lead in the 61st minute thanks to a Lionel Messi fine angular free-kick from distance.
Later on, Messi set up an assist for Lucas Digne, who extended the goal difference before Dimitris Nikolaou redeemed himself by heading home the consolation goal for the visitors in injury time. Barcelona leads Group D with 9 points, while Olympiacos is at the bottom with no point earned so far. Here's a review of the match.
Barcelona outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Marc-André ter Stegen (six points). Defender - Sergi Roberto (7.12), Samuel Umtiti (seven points), Gerard Piqué (5.31), Lucas Digne (eight points). Midfielder - Paulinho (7.30), Sergio Busquets (7.48), Andrés Iniesta (7.39). Forward -Gerard Deulofeu (7.19), Lionel Messi (9.43), Luis Suárez (6.77).
Used substitutes - Javier Mascherano (6.28), Ivan Rakitic (six points), André Gomes (5.88).
Team's strength and weakness: Barca often stole possession and created goal scoring opportunities through individual efforts, set pieces and through balls. Overall, they were fantastic at finishing.
Style of play: Ernesto Valverde's side dominated possession, attacked through both flanks, favored through balls and long-range shots.
Olympiacos outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Silvio Proto (8.44). Defender - Omar Elabdellaoui (6.19), Dimitris Nikolaou (6.70), Alberto Botía (6.63), Leonardo Koutris (6.92). Midfielder - Thanasis Androutsos (5.73), Guillaume Gillet (6.09), Sasa Zdjelar (6.78), Jacques-Alaixys Romao (6.09), Mehdi Carcela-González (5.93).
Forward - Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe (5.73). Used substitutes - Felipe Pardo (6.20), Konstantinos Fortounis (6.83), Uros Djurdjevic (six points).
Team's strength and weakness: Panagiotis Lemonis' men barely launched attacks, committed several individual stumbles and gave away free kicks around their half.
Style of play: Olympiacos showed no specific style or pattern of play throughout the match.
Most performed player in the match
Obviously, Lionel Messi made the headlines in this match. The Argentinian superstar impressively manned the midfield role with his stellar performance. He scored a goal and provided an assist. In addition, Messi had a massive 107 touches.
Upcoming clash for both teams
In their return leg match, Olympiacos welcomes Barcelona on Tuesday 31 October.
