Lionel Messi opens the scoring for Barcelona (Video)

Lionel Messi gives Barcelona the lead against Manchester City in their Champions League group stage match.

The big story surrounding Barcelona’s Champions League match against Manchester City was the return of Pep Guardiola to the club where he made his name. Guardiola’s City have a long way to go to get on the level of Guardiola’s Barca sides, and one of the big reasons is Lionel Messi.

Messi opened the scoring against his old manager’s new club after rounding his old teammate, Claudio Bravo, and sliding the ball into the net. It wasn’t the greatest goal Messi has ever scored — he probably wouldn’t have scored at all if not for a timely slip from Fernandinho — but it gives his side the lead all the same.

This is Messi’s first start since he picked up a groin injury against Atletico Madrid last month. It didn’t take him long to get back up to speed, though. The Argentine scored at the weekend a mere three minutes after making his return off the subs bench.

At this point, it probably shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, such is his immense talent. With a win against City today, Barcelona will take a huge step towards winning this group. They thrashed Celtic in their first match, before narrowly beating Borussia Monchengladbach in their second.

City, meanwhile, look set to finish second place in the group. That’s no disaster, but it could see them drawn against one of Europe’s real heavyweights in the round of 16. The Citizens made it to the semifinals last year, and with Guardiola now in charge, they’ll want at least to make it to the quarterfinals.

The good news is they aren’t going to play against many teams as good as Barcelona. The Catalan club is looking to rebound as well, having missed out on reaching the final in last season’s Champions League. If Messi keeps his current run up, it won’t be long before they’re back there.