Messi brilliance humbles Man City in ECL

Oct 19, 2016 - 10:15 PM Lionel Messi has scored a hat-trick to inflict a humbling defeat on his former mentor Pep Guardiola, leading Barcelona to an emphatic 4-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League.

Messi sped through City's defence and around former Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo before giving the hosts a 17th-minute lead in a Group C match that both teams finished with 10 men.

It only got worse for Bravo, who was sent off in the 53rd minute for using his hands to block a shot outside the area after his poor pass gifted the ball to Luis Suarez.

Messi struck again in the 61st and 69th to take his total to 89 goals in Europe's top club competition. The Argentina forward is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored 98.

"We know Barcelona. When they arrive (to the area) their strikers punish you," Guardiola said.

"It's October. We have lost a match. It's not a quarter-final or semi-final. Now we have to analyse what happened and rest."

Guardiola lost for the second time upon returning to Camp Nou where he established himself as one of the world's top managers by leading Barcelona to 14 titles from 2008-12.

The former Barcelona player coached Bayern Munich when the German side lost 3-0 here in the Champions League semi-finals two years ago, when Messi scored twice.

After winning their first 10 matches under Guardiola, City has now gone winless in four games in all competitions.

Barcelona extended its unbeaten run at home in European competition to 18 matches.

Barcelona and City will meet again in Manchester on November 1.

As expected from teams that have both been stylised by Guardiola, City tried to be Barcelona's mirror image from the start.

Both pressed high up the pitch, fought for possession of the ball, and exchanged attractive flowing attacks.

But Messi didn't allow the parity to last long.

Source: AAP