Messi back to his best for Barcelona

Leo Messi confirmed his return from injury with two goals and an assist as FC Barcelona assured they will qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League as winners of their group after a crushing 6-1 win at home to Roma.

The 28-year-old Suarez pulled off a stunner to put his team ahead in the 15th minute.

And if that’s not enough bad news for the Italians, Barca superstar Lionel Messi will be making his first start for the first time in two months after suffering a knee injury.

Roma managed to make the final score at least a bit more respectable with Edin Dzeko’s header in the 90th minute.

El Clasico continued; that’s how Luis Enrique probably pitched this game to his players and judging from our performance, we followed through with that sentiment. Barca carried on their incredible form from the weekend demolition of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday and Roma were their next victims.

Earlier in the evening, Zenit St Petersburg maintained their flawless record with a 2-0 win over Valencia, as BATE Borisov and Bayer Leverkusen shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

The Argentina striker then dinked the ball over Wojciech Szczesny as Barcelona claimed their second goal in four minutes.

Gerard Pique, with a tap-in after being set up by Messi, and Adriano after a late penalty from Neymar was saved, added the other goals for the totally dominant home side. I see the team very involved, all eager to participate. We could have made better use of the ball in the first half and we gave it away too softly. We’re at a good moment and we have to take maximum advantage.

They are reigning European and Spanish champions, and on the evidence of that match and Tuesday evening’s showing against Roma, it will take something special indeed for them not to retain both titles! The right back only had to square the ball for the unmarked Suarez to steer it in. “Messi! Messi!” rang out around the giant stadium and the beaming smile on his face, which shows he is back enjoying what he does best, is an ominous sign for Barca’s rivals.

There are insinuations in some quarters that Messi’s presence will relegate Neymar and Suarez to the background. After winning a penalty himself from Salih Ucan’s foul, his poorly struck spot-kick was saved by Szczesny but Adriano was on hand to slam the rebound into the roof of the net.