Messi 0 - 1 inde (383229614)

The 11852 spectators at Leo Messi Arena were in for an afternoon of sunshine. Spartaco Martoni was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Tomasz Fliszkiewicz and Edgardo Stringa. A 3-4-3 alignment was the formation of choice for Messi. Lineup: Everts - Maleo, Boluda, D'Aversa - Andrés, Moi, Lemus, Chiuzan - Moreno, Arines, Vannuccini.

inde started off with a 5-3-2 lineup. The following players had been chosen: Gordino - Patriciu, Yarza, Gallego, Barrenkua, Kerov - Subaşı, Mejri, Dekorti - Pushka, Szamotny.

Using their counter-attacking abilities was the strategy of choice for Messi. The strategy for inde was to use their ability to press. inde pressed their opponents, causing the game to be a bit of a stalemate at times. inde's ability to press all over the field frequently paid dividends. The visiting S. Mejri was booed thoroughly by the home crowd 39 minutes into the game, after he broke through the middle and scored, resulting in the visitors taking the lead. 0 - 1 was the score. The pressing tactics used by inde were successful as the ball remained close to the half way line at all times. There was concern in the stands when, at the 43 minute mark, Messi's T. Arines hit the ground hard, but he refused the attention of the trainer and rejoined his teammates on the pitch. 0 - 1 was the score after the first half. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Messi, with 51 percent of the ball.

After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, R. Gallego got himself booked. The manager of inde was not happy. Messi's H. Maleo got himself booked for a foul. Usually a powerful player on the field, J. Andrés looked kind of pale and tired under the hot sun. At this time in the match, inde were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. S. Moi could have scored for Messi with his free kick after 88 minutes, but the visitors' keeper just managed to get a hand on it. inde's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. Messi enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 56 percent of possession.

Most important Messi player was T. Arines. On the other hand, L. Everts's play was disheartening. inde's best player was R. Gallego. S. Gordino on the other hand, had a terrible day. The match ends 0 - 1.