Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Lionel Messi 'from another dimension,' says Barcelona boss Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique hailed Lionel Messi as being "from another dimension" after Wednesday's 3-0 Champions League semifinal first leg win, while also saying that he wanted to recognise what had been a superb and coherent team performance from his side.

It was an emotional occasion at the Camp Nou as former the blaugrana coach and now Bayern boss Pep Guardiola returned for the first time as the opposition's manager.

When the emotion cleared, the game turned into a tight tactical battle and appeared set to end goalless, until with 13 minutes left, Messi arrowed a low 20-yard shot into the net. Four minutes later the Argentine twisted into the box and chipped past Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer for a superb solo second.

Neymar's third goal in injury time was harsh on a depleted Bayern side, but makes Barca big favourites to progress ahead of next Tuesday's return game in Munich.

Asked at the post-match news conference if having Messi in his team made everything easier, the current blaugrana coach said it was a pleasure to have such a player in his team, while going on to praise the work done by his entire team.

"Without any doubt life is easier with Leo," Luis Enrique said. "It is a pleasure to see him for you every three days, we see him every day. He is a player from another dimension. But as well as what we saw from Leo, and in attack, I would point to work by everyone -- we had to be a very good team today, as we knew how difficult the game would be. It was very balanced for many minutes, then we were very effective. But I think we created many more chances than opponent."

Luis Enrique was keen to point out how his team had defended -- and particularly how their high pressing had won the ball back in a dangerous area just before both Messi's goals.

"Today the team did many things very well," he said. "We kept a clean sheet, a very big thing when playing at home. And they only caused us danger once through [Robert] Lewandowski. We defended well, pressed high, won ball back high up the pitch, including just before the first goal. The team was very good in all aspects, I am very happy with result and attitude."

The 3-0 scoreline -- and clean sheet -- did not necessarily mean Barca already had one foot in the final, Luis Enrique maintained.

"In the last 15 minutes we decided the game, but not the tie," he said. "Tuesday will be another game, for sure very difficult. We have seen everything can happen in football. I remember quarterfinals when Porto were eliminated having won the first leg 3-1. We want to go there and cause them the most danger possible. It is still all to be decided."

Guardiola's return had been emotional, his former teammate and friend said, but once the whistle blew Barca's fans had been 100 percent behind their team.

"It was special for all Cules that Pep returned, and for him above all," Luis Enrique said. "But he said he was coming here as a worker for Bayern Munich. The fans concentrated on supporting their team. It cannot be any other way."

Bayern finished the game having edged possession by 53-47 percent, a stat which Luis Enrique was pressed on by local reporters, but said he was not overly interested in.

"I always failed math," he said. "I do not care, I am not interested in percentages. But I would like to see the possession of the ball in opposition half -- as that is what is important, so you can use it to cause danger to rival. In that we were very good, created lots of chances, despite the level of opponent. They had just one in first half, with Lewandowski."

There was also clarification that defender Javier Mascherano had been replaced late on due to a calf injury, however it is not thought to be a serious problem.

"Mascherano had a problem in his calf muscle," Luis Enrique said. "Not a serious problem, small issue. He told the bench he could continue, but we did not want to run any risks, so changed him."

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