LIONEL MESSI MARKED his 400th appearance for Barcelona by setting up three goals for Cristian Tello as the Catalans moved towards the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 4-1 win away to Levante on Wednesday.
Nabil El Zhar had fired the hosts into a shock lead midway through the first-half.
However, after an unfortunate Juanfran own goal had levelled matters just after half-time, Tello then sped onto Messi’s through ball to fire home on the hour mark.
The two combined once more 10 minutes from time and another lovely Messi pass allowed the 22-year-old to volley home his hat-trick five minutes later to leave the second-leg at the Camp Nou next Wednesday a formality.
And Barca boss Gerardo Martino hailed his side’s patience as they all but killed the tie off in the second-half after a difficult opening period.
“In the first-half I was worried, but I also expect that in these type of games we will find more spaces in the second-half,” he said.
“The opponent in front of us was making a huge effort and what I want is Barcelona to keep circulating the ball to make the other team tire.
“Thanks to that we found spaces in the second-half and Leo has taken advantage of them very well.”
However, just as at the weekend, it start positively for the visitors as Levante took the lead from a set-piece when El Zhar prodded home from close range after Jose Manuel Pinto had parried his first effort.
Barca were handed a huge slice of luck to equalise eight minutes after half-time when Loukas Vyntra fired the ball off teammate Juanfran and the ball rebounded past the helpless Javi Jimenez into the net.
Thereafter, though, it was a procession as Tello thundered home his first moments later from Messi’s first assist.
The winger then curled home his second of the evening after the defence had again been attracted towards Messi.
Tello sealed a memorable evening five minutes later with a another thumping finish from Messi’s clipped ball over the top.
And Martino hinted that with Neymar sidelined, Tello’s calm finishing would be rewarded with more game time in the coming weeks.
“Some players get the chance to show what they can do in 90 minutes and some only get 15 minutes.
“Until now Cristian has only been getting 15 minutes and that is very difficult.
“We will see how all the players develop in the next few weeks, but he is improving week by week. He is growing in confidence and becoming more explosive.”
Barca will most likely face Real Sociedad in the last four after they beat third-tier side Racing Santander 3-1 at home in their quarter-final, first-leg.
All things considered, I think Kerry football is in the healthiest position it has been in years. And with our hurlers in the senior championship next year – Roll on 2016!!
Jack o Connor must go down as one of the best managers the gaa has seen. All Ireland’s at minor, 21 and senior. Still has a big say in future of Kerry football by the sound of things
He has been involved in 21 All Ireland finals, all the above + schools.
He has 18 All Ireland wins – that is just amazing
Great manager but got it all wrong Sunday.
Ruth Dublin are just a better team than kerry 3 wins from 3
Kerry have a knack of pulling out a few new stars when it looks like change is needed. adding one or two of those minors and a retirement or two and you’ve a fresh and very talented squad
Lets be honest but for some terrible refreeing decisions last yr Kerry would not have been in the Final last yr.And again this yr in Killarney poor refreeing decisions put them on the good side of the draw avoiding Dublin and Mayo in the process which meant they would have been knocked out of this yrs championship at the quarter or semi final stage. This had nothing to do with Eamon fitzs “genius” as a manager.
correct John the first top team they faced beat them quiet easily all over the pitch.
I wouldn’t be writing off Kerry yet ! they have a history of getting it right and coming back and winning Sam ! However this Dublin team Definitely have their measure !
agreed lorcan kerry are definitely the second best team.
There’ll be plenty of retirements now I’d say.
Donaghy and The Gooch certainly don’t instill the same fear as they used too !