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UEFA Champions League: Martino hails ‘best’ Barcelona performance

Neymar hat-trick in 6-1 win ensures top group spot for Catalans .

Agencies December 12, 2013

Neymar had been in focus to start producing the goal-scoring form that persuaded Barca to spend €57 million on him back in May. PHOTO: AFP

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said his side produced their best display in his time in charge as they ensured top spot in Champions League Group H with a 6-1 thrashing of Celtic on Wednesday.

Gerard Pique opened the scoring for the hosts early on, but thereafter Neymar took centre stage as the Brazilian set up the second goal for Pedro Rodriguez before going onto score his first Barcelona hat-trick.

A deflected effort from Cristian Tello and a late consolation from Giorgios Samaras rounded off the scoring.

“It was the best we have been in these four months in terms of the level of our play, our effectiveness and how we managed to maintain that level for the majority of the game. Apart from the last five minutes, we were excellent,” he said.

“Barcelona always play very well with the ball and what we needed was the intensity to win it back.”

Wenger frustrated at Arsenal’s failure

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted to feeling frustrated after his side missed out on top spot in their group and an easier draw in the knockout stages.

The English Premier League leaders were beaten 2-0 at Napoli on Wednesday which allowed Borussia Dortmund – who edged winless Marseilles 2-1 – to seal top spot courtesy of a better head-to-head record after the trio all finished on 12 points.

That meant the German side will be seeded for next week’s draw while runners-up Arsenal face the prospect of a last 16 clash against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich or big spending Paris St Germain.

“Of course to finish second makes the potential draw more difficult,” said Wenger. “In the last four or five years we have had very difficult draws, so maybe this time we will be luckier.”

Results

Galatasaray       1-0                Juventus

Chelsea       1-0       Bucharest

Schalke        2-0       Basel

Marseilles 1-2       Dortmund

Napoli         2-0       Arsenal

Atletico       2-0       FC Porto

Vienna         4-1       Zenit

Barcelona    6-1       Celtic

Milan           0-0       Ajax

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2013.

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