Result: FC Barcelona 5-1 Ferencvaros
Date: 20 October 2020
Venue: Camp Nou
FC Barcelona began their UEFA Champions League campaign in fine style with a 5-1 thrashing of Ferencvaros at the Camp Nou on Tuesday evening.
With one eye seemingly on Saturday's El Clasico, Ronald Koeman left Sergio Busquets, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann on the bench.
Lionel Messi went close breaking the deadlock after looking to catch Denes Dubisz out at his near post but the shot-stoper managed to make a save on 21 minutes.
After Tokmac Nguen hit the bar for the visitors, Barcelona were awarded a penalty for a foul on Messi, who dusted himself off and made no mistake from the spot for the opening goal on 27 minutes.
The Catalan giants took control from there on and managed to double their lead on the stroke of halftime as Frenkie de Jong played in Ansu Fati who slotted into the bottom corner.
The hosts picked up from where they left off in the first half as Coutinho got on the scoresheet with a neat finish into the bottom corner after being picked out by Fati.
Out of nowhere, Ferencvaros were awarded a penalty after Nguen was brought down by Gerard Pique, who was shown a straight red card on 68 minutes. Ihor Kharatin converted the spot-kick to reduce the deficit.
Any hopes of a Ferencvaros comeback were crushed on 82 minutes when Dembele's cut-back found Pedri who slotted home from close range for his first Champions Legaue goal.
Dembele managed to add his name to the score-sheet as Messi turned provider to pick out the Frenchman for the simple finish as the Catalan giants get their campaign off to a flying start.
