Barca euphoric after 5-0 win over Panathinaikos (06.11.2005)
today.reuters.co.uk
Euphoria swept through the Nou Camp after Barcelona reached the last 16 of the Champions League with a scintillating 5-0 win over Panathinaikos.
Players did not try to disguise their pleasure after their irresistible display of attacking football on Wednesday.
"We enjoyed ourselves and so did the fans," said midfielder Xavi. "We were absolutely terrific in the first half hour. The team is playing well and I think we have now hit the same sort of form as last season."
Panathinaikos were simply torn apart by the Catalans who raced into a 4-0 lead in a whirlwind first half.
Dutchman Mark van Bommel opened the scoring after just 40 seconds and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto`o helped himself to a splendid hat-trick. He grabbed his first with a fine header, added the finishing touch to a quicksilver passing move for his second and wrapped up with a delightful curling lob.
Argentine teenage prodigy Lionel Messi, who had another outstanding game in Europe, weighed in with his first goal in the
Champions League when he stabbed home after outwitting the Panathinaikos defence.
The victory left Barcelona top of Group C with 10 points from four matches while Panathinaikos, Udinese and Werder Bremen are locked on four apiece.
Udinese and Bremen could finish level with Barca if the Spanish champions lose their final two games but their superior head-to-heads mean they cannot finish lower than second place.
"It was a great night," said van Bommel. "It`s just fantastic when we play like this.
"Now we have to try and ensure that we top the group because it is always good to play the return leg of a knockout tie at home.
"It is very difficult to win the Champions League, but we have the sort of squad that could do it."
Hat-trick hero Eto`o insisted that it was important for Barca to keep their feet on the ground.
"If we start relaxing now we will start dropping points and losing games. The most difficult part is still to come. We have to work hard to ensure we retain this sort of form."
