Tuesday, November 01, 2016

When Manchester City welcomed Barcelona to the Etihad Stadium for their fourth Champions League group game of the campaign, they did so presumably under strict instructions not to lose 4-0 again.

And for a time they kept Barcelona reasonably quiet, but when Lionel Messi comes up against English opposition, there’s just no stopping him.

Man C 0-1 Barcelona - some bloke called Messi scored

— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) November 1, 2016

Robbie Savage was pretty impressed.

Wow messi what a counter attack

— Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) November 1, 2016

In fact, just about everybody was impressed. We dare say Pep Guardiola gazed upon the goal with some level of awe.

I’ve only ever seen someone else with Messi’s touch on a PlayStation. #genius

— Andy Goldstein MBE (@andygoldstein05) November 1, 2016

There's a very easy way to stop Lionel Messi.

Step 1. Cancel football
Step 2. Wait ten years
Step 3. Start it again and don't tell him

— Zito (@_Zeets) November 1, 2016

And then the ridiculous statistics began to flow.

Lionel Messi now has as many Champions League goals as Atletico Madrid

— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) November 1, 2016

More specifically, Messi seems to find it particularly easy against Manchester City.

Lionel Messi has been directly involved in all of Barcelona’s last six goals vs. Man City (4G, 2A).

Reliable foe. pic.twitter.com/UNYVy7N8XU

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 1, 2016

6 - Lionel Messi has scored more goals against Manchester City than any other player in #UCL. Nightmare.

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 1, 2016

In fact, English clubs in general find it pretty tricky against one of the greatest players of all time, funnily enough.

16 - Lionel Messi has scored 16 goals in his last 14 CL games against English opposition. Dominant.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2016

Although the Argentinian doesn’t specifically score against English clubs. Pep has been on the receiving end as well.

Lionel Messi has six goals in his last four games against Pep Guardiola's sides.

— Richard Jolly (@RichJolly) November 1, 2016

There’s one English side however who really aren’t all that bothered by Messi.

Lionel Messi's goals against English sides:

Man City - 4
Man Utd - 2
Arsenal - 9
Chelsea - 0 in 8 games pic.twitter.com/JR1vi8HY2M

— Chelsea Transfers (@CFCTransfers) November 1, 2016

Impressive stuff.