Manchester City learned just how costly making mistakes against Barcelona can be. Especially early on, City's pressing looked like it was really bothering Barcelona's makeshift defense. Then Manchester City made one mistake, then another, then the game was basically over.
Messi opened the scoring when Fernandinho slipped and the rest of City's defense just kind of stood there and looked at each other.
Messi takes advantage of Fernandinho's slip and slots home his 4th #UCL goal of the season. @HeinekenSoccer #UCL https://t.co/8LPPuSO1VM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 19, 2016
Claudio Bravo made a great save on this Luis Suarez effort, but unfortunately for City Bravo was not actually in the box at the time, so he got sent off.
Claudio Bravo red card vs. Barcelona. #mcfc: pic.twitter.com/JOQYKDqeMf
— ThePremHub (@ThePremHub) October 19, 2016
With City down to 10 men, you just knew Messi was going to get another one. City giving the ball away in their own third just made the process more efficient.
Make that 5 #UCL goals this season and 88 for Messi's career. @HeinekenSoccer #UCLonFOX https://t.co/kNjluRxcXi
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 19, 2016
Messi capped off his hat trick with a little dinky goal after Suarez jumped on a truly garbage back-pass.
Aaaand that's 3 for Messi today and 6 on the #UCL season. No other player has scored more than 3. #UCLonFOX https://t.co/pNS3BGYU3C
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 19, 2016
Barcelona weren't without mistakes either, with Neymar missing a penalty that could have made it 4-0.
He did, however, make it 4-0 a few minutes later in spectacular fashion, causing John Stones to try and make up new defensive techniques on the fly.
£49m & you're defending with your back to Neymar pic.twitter.com/FX49dPwjR7
— Jack BOOshop (@GranitJacka) October 19, 2016
In fairness to John Stones, we don't think he's ever had to play against anyone as good as Neymar before. On the other hand, yikes.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
