Messi rampant as Barca faces Celtic in Champions

By Paul Logothetis

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Oct. 22 2012 4:10 a.m. MDT

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FC Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina celebrates his goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Deportivo la Coruna at the Riazor stadium in La Coruna, Spain, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012.

Lalo R. Villar, Associated Press

Summary

With Lionel Messi running rampant in attack, Barcelona must tighten its leaky defense against Celtic, knowing a win will give it total control of Group G in the Champions League.

MADRID — With Lionel Messi running rampant in attack, Barcelona must tighten its leaky defense against Celtic, knowing a win will give it total control of Group G in the Champions League.

Messi notched his 21st career hat trick in Barcelona's wild 5-4 victory at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, which kept it top of the Spanish league alongside Atletico Madrid.

But it's been a decade since the Catalan team last conceded so many league goals in the first eight rounds, and Celtic will look to exploit the vulnerability at the Camp Nou after coming off an away win against Spartak Moscow.

Spartak hosts Benfica on Tuesday, and the Portuguese club is already facing a must-win match after taking just one point from its opening pair of group games.

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