Hits and Misses from the PSV-Barcelona game

In the game that happened earlier today (Matchday 5, UEFA Champions League) at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, Lionel Messi and Gerrard Pique scored to help Catalan giants FC Barcelona overcome the hosts PSV Eindhoven, by a scoreline of 2-1. Luuk de Jong was PSV's sole scorer.

The game began with hosts putting a lot of pressure on Barcelona, with good fortune and goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen being the only reasons why they didn't concede early on. Ter Stegen came up with two spectacular saves before the minute clock showed double digits, and it clearly seemed that the lack of wanting showed by Barca defense would prove to be costly.

Slowly things bettered for Barca, as Ousmane Dembele used his pace to find chances for Messi and Coutinho from the right flank. In addition, a couple of Arturo Vidal's shots were cleared in front of the post. By the 45-minute mark, the scoreboard still showed nil-nil, but a very competitive game was up on the cards, it only being a matter of time for the ball to end up in either net.

While the first half started in a fiery manner with a flurry of attack attempts by PSV, the sides were more composed and cautious in their approach as the second half began. Unlike the first half, Barca seemed to look comfortable on PSV's pressing, and also pressed well to get the ball back when it was in possession of the hosts.

They soon got a goal as a result, as Messi scored from a very tight angle and from the midst of three defenders in the 61st minute. Ten minutes later Gerrard Pique deflected a Messi freekick to the lonely left bottom corner of the Eindhoven goalpost, to double the lead.

PSV can blame themselves for losing out on many chances. Their only shot that gushed at the inside netting of Barca's goalpost was made in the 82nd minute, as Luuk de Jong fired off an Angelino assist past Ter Stegen to score the consolation goal.

In summation, it was indeed a tough away game for Barca as expected, but their main man Messi delivered in their time of need, which in turn will also help them advance to the knockout stages as the UCL Group B champions, with four wins and a draw from 5 games (13 points). Their final first-round game will be at the Camp Nou when they face Tottenham on 12th December.

Now, let's talk about the Hits and Misses from the PSV-Barca encounter:

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Hits #1: Lionel Messi

Messi made history

Lionel Messi had yet another dominating night in Europe's biggest stage, at Eindhoven. Earlier, his hattrick had helped Barca down their opponents 4-0 in Camp Nou, and this time again, he played a crucial role, scoring a goal and making an assist in the return-leg win.

He also maintained a pass-success rate of nearly 80%, and played out six key passes in the game. Check out the goal he scored, below:

Messi and Dembele were the focal point of Barca's attacking advances in the first half, which alleviated a lot of the surmounting pressure on the visitors. With the Barca captain luring at least a couple of PSV players to watch him, Dembele and Coutinho were set free to operate from either ends, with Messi himself chipping on a few occasions.

The goal and the assist came in the second half, and helped Messi complete yet another UCL night with the match-ball in his kitty.

Hits #2: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen

Ter Stegen continued to prove his importance

As mentioned earlier, Barcelona can thank two factors alone, for not conceding more than a goal early on in the game. One is Lady Fortune, and the other is Ter Stegen. The German shot-stopper really proved how essential he is, in Barcelona's defense setup. He saved a de Jong freekick in the first few minutes and went on to make another save before the ten-minutes mark kicked in. He saved a third attempt in the 23rd minute as well.

Altogether in the game, the goalkeeper saved nine inbound shots, out of which three were direct threats to goal. Amidst a wavering Barcelona defense, Ter Stegen became the mountain that the hosts couldn't overcome. They had to wait until the 82nd minute when they scored one back finally, but that did not do much to Barca's winning chances in the game.

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Hits #3: Ousmane Dembele

Dembele put on a great display against PSV

Dembele proved yet again, as to why he could be an integral part of the Barca setup in future. The absence of injured Luiz Suarez made Ernesto Valverde play Messi as center-forward, which in turn resulted in the youngster being thrust into the Right Wing duties. It would not be an understatement to say he played his role to the dot.

After the few initial scares, the game titled to Barca's favour with the start of Dembele's earliest of the many fiery runs he completed during the course of the contest. His daunting speed helped him overcome and the PSV defenders and create inroads into the attacking third, with Messi or Coutinho finding themselves at the receiving end of many chances. By the end of the 45th minute, Barca had more shots made than the hosts, and Dembele played a major part in it.

Flop #1: Steven Bergwijn

Not a good night for Bergwijn

The PSV youngster, who came at the back of a goal and two assists from his latest games in the Dutch League, had a night to forget in the UCL Matchday 5, with several of his teammates performing much better in the loss to Barcelona. The center-forward could muster only 2 shots while in his 79-minute stay on the pitch. He also gave the ball away five times and responded weakly to tackles.

PSV had a whole lot of chances to score early on, but the likes of Bergwijn not finding the target made that impossible to achieve. His off-colour performance resulted in him getting subbed off in the 79th minute for Maximiliano Romero, and three minutes later, almost like a charm, the ball was inside Barca's net.

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Flop #2: Jorrit Hendrix

Hendrix's performance summed up a frustrating night for PSV

Hendrix turned out to be the weak link in PSV's otherwise-steady midfield. The defensive midfielder could manage just a 65% pass success-rate, while on the ground. He attempted 4 tackles in total, out of which three were fouls. He also received a yellow card in the 25th minute, for a needless sliding tackle on Ousmane Dembele at the midfield.

For a while, Hendrix also tried to participate in runs towards Barca goal, but twice he was dispossessed while thrice his passes were intercepted. Overall he played just 23 passes out of which only 15 found their right man. He was substituted in the 71st minute and Erick Gutierrez took his place.

He had a really bad night at the Camp Nou two months ago against the same opposition, and based on that, today was a bit of an improvement. In summation, Barcelona really looks like a tough opponent for him. The player repeatedly churns up great games in the Eredivisie, but he failed to replicate that in the UCL.

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