Top 5 performances by Barcelona since 2010
FC Barcelona have been a dominant force in Europe. The Catalan club flourished significantly under Pep Guardiola. Those were probably the best years in the history of the club. The club have won numerous trophies recently as well. In the 2009-10 season, they won all the 6 competitions they played in, completing the 'sextuple'.
It all started with the foundation laid by the Dutch legend, Johan Cruyff and then followed by great minds of Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. Barcelona have had some great managers who all have led the club to glory on several occasions.
Here, we take a look at 5 matches where the Catalan giants were just too good for the opponents:
#5 Barcelona 4-1 Arsenal (2010)
The number 4 seems so synonymous with Arsenal now but in 2010, Barcelona scored 4 against the English club. The first leg of the quarter-final was a 2-2 draw at home for Arsenal. In the return leg at Camp Nou, Arsenal took the lead in the 18th minute by a brilliant counter-attack finished by Bendtner. The away goal was crucial for Arsenal if they wanted to go through but they had one problem; Lionel Messi.
It took only 2 minutes for the Argentine to score a screamer in the top right corner and make it 1-1. Messi struck one more in the 37th minute to give Barca the lead. The Catalans were in control of the game, completing quick passes and enjoying possession of the ball.
It wasn't long before Arsenal were caught on the counter and Messi scored a sublime chip to complete his fabulous first-half hat-trick. The tie was practically won by Barcelona but Messi wanted more. In the 88th minute, his shot from a tight angle was saved but the rebound landed at his feet and this time he slotted the ball home between the legs of the goalkeeper.