Messi's magic and De Gea goalless ease Barcelona ahead of Manchester United | Soccer

If there was a small glow of consolation for Manchester United, it was that they had met Lionel Messi on one of those nights when he seemed to belong to a different species. Messi loves the big opportunity and, once again, he used the Champions League to provide further evidence of the already heavily loaded portfolio that does not suggest that anyone, not even Maradona, has ever pushed the company. 39, art of football at a higher level.

For United, it was just too much. Lionel Messi versus Phil Jones? It was like watching a landscape painter compare brush strokes with a painter and a decorator. Yet in all fairness to Jones, he was not the only one in United's colors to suffer. David de Gea, for his part, will remember it as a personal trial. It is a night, ultimately, that could speed up the process of construction by Ole Gunner Solskjær of a new defense. But above all, it was also an opportunity to cherish Messi, to be grateful to the sport and to hope that he plays as long as he is able to spread this precious magic on football matches.

The only surprise, perhaps, is that the winner of the Ballon d'Or five times did not contribute to the outstanding goal of the match. This honor fell on Philippe Coutinho at one point of the match while United seemed already well beaten. Although Messi, of course, was involved in the construction, the first of his two goals was also very special. Even before we arrived at the whim, he tried in the second half. Or all the other occasions when he threatened his opponents and illuminated the night with speed, thought and movement.

Photo: Chesnot / Getty Images Europe

If nothing else, Solskjær can at least comfort themselves knowing that we are talking here about a unique piece. At the same time, it was a discouraging night for United, which clearly left the impression that he had a long way to go before they were able to return to the place where a club of their ambitions would want to be. In addition to the 10 minutes of opening, there was a clear disparity between the two parties. Solskjær now has the task of bridging this gap, but it is irrefutable proof that major restoration work will be needed.

Unfortunately for United, it was also quite true that Messi, now 31 years old, was facing a nice back line here – and sometimes they played badly. Solskjær must have felt this frustration more than anything during this four-minute period of the first half, when, realistically, all hope for United has faded. Twice, his players were guilty of losing the ball in their own half. It's a sin at all levels, but you simply can not do it when the opposition has a guy in shirt # 10 who gives the impression that he's just visiting this planet.

For the first goal, it was Ashley Young who acted an apologetic hand, after getting in trouble with Ivan Rakitic to allow Messi to fly and provide the first demonstration of his talent. When Messi scored 2-0 shortly thereafter, it was Fred's turn, before we even considered De Gea's wretched goalkeeper to let the ball find an almost unbelievable road under his body. No side at this level can make such mistakes and expect to get away with it. Messi was waiting to leap on both occasions and his first goal in particular was just another reminder that, during the big parties, he still wanted to be the centerpiece of the show.

It was certainly hard to know what was the most exquisite moment on this slalom thanks to United's defense: the short-range nutmeg that allowed Fred to get out of the equation or body movement that was completely sending Jones to the # 39; to. Jones, the center of the United States, beautifully prone to accidents, bandaged his head even before the match started. Soon the poor boy needed a smell of salt. Messi had turned back, from right to left and parallel to the edge of the surface, until he had the ball in the right place, removing his left foot and scoring an elegant goal just outside the penalty area.

His second goal came from his right foot, although he looked as surprised as anyone when De Gea let him go, which could have led to a nine-minute hat trick. without the German referee Felix Brych. he erred in inflicting a penalty for Fred's challenge against Rakitic after a VAR test.

At this point, United's fans in the most dizzying layers of this old cavernous bowl might have been encouraged by the way their team was gone. Jesse Lingard, in particular, found room in a central role ranging from deep between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Scott McTominay, Fred and Paul Pogba quickly supported the lead trio and Rashford had an exceptional chance to change the complexion of the evening. No player from Barça even touched the ball at that time. Rashford's shot hit the crossbar and, with such a high stake, United really needed him to score.

For United, the second half was little more than an injury-limiting exercise. All their first adventure had been punctured. They rarely appeared again as an offensive force and could become a rout when Coutinho's spectacular shot flew over De Gea for third.

Alexis Sánchez had almost pinched one for United, refused a brilliant stop Marc-André ter Stegen, but the match was already over and, among the praise of Messi, Solskjær was free to think about the next events. "A reconstruction work," he called.