An inspired Andres Iniesta guides Barcelona to victory, defeating Czech Republic’s Viktoria Plzen 2-0 on another record-breaking night in the Catalan capital.

The win sees Barca extend their undefeated start of the season to a club record 13 games, improving to 9-0-4 in all competitions this year.

From the opening whistle, Barcelona came out the aggressor, pressing hard to create chances. In the 2nd minute, an incisive pass from Messi saw Dani Alves put clear on goal, only for the Brazilian to lift his shot over the bar from close range.

Against an ultra defensive 4-5-1 formation, Barcelona began dominating possession, shifting the point of attack and relying on deep runs from the midfield to open up spaces.

Andres Iniesta would give the Catalans the lead when, in the 10th minute, he found himself on the edge of the area with Messi. After playing two quick give-and-goes with the Argentine, he collected Messi’s through ball in stride, flicking the pass sumptuously from his right foot to his left and sending the shot near post past the diving Cech.

The lead was nearly doubled one minute later when Villa lost his marker after a dizzying run, only to send his effort soaring over the bar.

The Asturian had another chance in the 29th minute, with a mid-range curling effort flashing just inches wide of the far post.

Pedro should have made it two when his intended pass for Villa was deflected right back into his path, but he went for power, sending the ball clear over goal when a finesse finish may have done the job.

Messi would then step in and become the protagonist of the match, turning in one of the most brilliant and frustrating performances in recent memory, cooking up awe-inspiring runs through multiple defenders, while missing chance after chance.

He nearly scored in the 41st, collecting a weighted pass over the top from Busquets, teasing a defender on the byline and sending his shot into the side netting from a tight angle.

Pedro was unable to finish off a one vs. one in the 43rd, rounding the keeper and dribbling out of bounds, unable to control his second touch.

The half would end with a boom, as Messi lined up outside the area and sent a thundering free-kick off the post in added time.

The holders had the swagger, but the finishing touch eluded them.

Messi continued to threaten after the half, dribbling into the Plzen area, playing a one-two with Pedro, fighting through a sliding tackle from David Bystron, brushing off two more challenges and firing away, but his shot was kick saved by Cech to deny a highlight reel goal.

He again left the Czech defense asunder in the 59th minute, blowing by one defender, lifting the ball to avoid another’s tackle, darting past a third, tip-toeing the touchline and chipping the keeper, only to see his effort clip off the outside post.

He would come close again in the 67th, beating the off-sides trap to collect a perfect pass from Villa, chipping the keeper to himself, before being barged off the ball by the last defender in front of an open net.

Champions League debut referee Aleksandar Stavrev was perhaps, too lenient in some occasions, dolling out zero yellow cards, trying to avoid controversy in his first game.

A tackle through the back on Leo Messi was waived play on by the official, with Messi going to the ground for medical assistance on his achilles after the play.

He would make the trip to the sideline, then hobble back on to finish the match.

With the match still up for grabs, the game seemed reminiscent of the AC Milan match, where dominant play still resulting in dropped points at the final whistle.

The champions wouldn’t let it slip away this time.

There are many components that make Barcelona successful, but one is prevalent in every minute of every match: offense-defense transition.

David Villa epitomized this commitment in the second goal, stealing a pass in midfield and starting the break. The Spaniard unselfishly laid the ball off to Messi, who took too long and had it poked away. However, the advantageous Villa saw it spill right into his path, guiding home the loose ball to kill the game.

20 year old Isaac Cuenca would make his Champions League debut in the 87th minute, entering for David Villa, who received a standing ovation.

The predicted one-sided clash proved a display of dominance and inaccuracies from the reining champs. In a match where Barcelona outshot the Czechs 18-0 and held 78% possession, they would settle for a pittance two goals. The win sees them level with AC Milan atop Group H with 7 points, with passage to the next round essentially secured.

It was a match of brilliant combinations, mesmerizing individual skill, and unnecessary complications. For all their genius, Barca appeared too eager to try and walk the ball into the net, guilty of over-playing and abusing tiki-taka when a shot was available.

Pep will undoubtedly remind them of this during the week, as Barca prepare for their next match vs. Sevilla on Saturday in the Camp Nou.

Victor Valdes recorded his fifth consecutive clean sheet and now needs just 60 more minutes to surpass his personal record for most minutes without conceding a goal in match play.

Record breaking seems thematic this season.

Article written by Barcaloco contributor Anson Woodring.  Follow Anson on Twitter at @ansonwoodring.

Full match highlights:

Barcelona – Viktoria Plzen 2-0 Highlights HD 19… by iNfRaS0NiC