A blond-haired Lionel Messi failed to get on the scoresheet but it hardly mattered as under-strength Barcelona taught Celtic a footballing lesson in a Dublin friendly on Saturday
Barcelonas Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) runs with the ball during the pre-season International Champions Cup football match between Spanish champions, Barcelona and Scottish Premiership champions, Celtic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Pi
Dublin: A blond-haired Lionel Messi failed to get on the scoresheet but it hardly mattered as under-strength Barcelona taught Celtic a footballing lesson in a Dublin friendly on Saturday.
Barcelona-s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi R runs with the ball during the pre-season International Champions Cup football match between Spanish champions, Barcelona and Scottish Premiership champions, Celtic at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Pic/AFP
Strikes by Arda Turan and Munir El Haddadi, and an own goal by Efe Ambrose — all before the break — were enough to earn a 3-1 victory for Luis Garcia-s men in what was their first game back after the summer.
Leigh Griffiths had replied to Turan-s opener, but boss Brendan Rodgers will be concerned with how vulnerable his defence looked once again, ahead of Celtic-s crucial Champions League third qualifying round clash with Astana on Wednesday.
The tie is delicately balanced at 1-1 ahead of the second leg at Parkhead. Barcelona were without Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Javier Mascherano, Claudio Bravo and Jordi Alba.
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