The arrival of Adkins – and, perhaps, the introduction of an actual striker to their system – seemed to put a spring into Weasels’ step here, with Gimenez heading home from a Messi corner to kick off the new era and Dilva rifling one home to double the advantage. Wedge found a little bit of pep after the hour but it was too little, too late, and they were punished harshly when a Messi shot deflected significantly off Fabinho to wrap up the points.

By Friedrich Targ