Bayer Leverkusen vs. Barcelona: Highlights, Score and Player Grades

The UEFA Champions League resumed in fitting fashion on Wednesday with a rousing 3-1 victory for Barcelona over Bayer Leverkusen at BayArena.

After a torrid start to the match, Barca took control behind two goals by Alexis Sanchez, the first coming by way of a brilliant pass from Lionel Messi and the second emanating from the foot of Cesc Fabregas in the 55th minute.

Messi added a third goal in the 88th minute on a lively exchange with Dani Alves, just the sort of play that would leave the entire continent of South America smiling.

The Blaugrana managed to find the net three times away from the Camp Nou despite the absences of Xavi and Gerard Pique, the former on account of a calf injury and the latter for tactical purposes.

Still, it was far from Barca's finest performance. Despite maintaining possession for 75 percent of the game, the Catalans yielded a string of scoring opportunities to the Factory Squad, one of which Michal Kadlec converted a cross from Vedran Corluka with his head to even the score in the 52nd minute.

Leverkusen were also able to parlay their positive second-half approach into chances Renato Augusto, Gonzalo Castro and Stefan Kiessling, though all three shots were saved by Victor Valdes who had himself a spectacular evening behind Barca's leaky back line.

All told, top marks to Alexis, Leo and Valdez for their exemplary efforts in Germany. Barca's defence garners a less-than-satisfactory grade for surrendering so many golden chances to Leverkusen in the second half.

And mixed marks to Leverkusen boss Robin Dutt, whose negative strategy was an utter failure in the first half but who turned things around in the second to allow his squad to compete against the Spanish giants.

Unfortunately, Dutt's strategic shift may be too little too late, as his Factory Squad will be hard-pressed to make up a two-goal deficit to the Blaugrana at the Camp Nou in three weeks.

Follow @J0shMart1n