The evening began with the focus on whether Lionel Messi might equal an all-time UEFA Champions League group stage scoring record. It ended with Arda Turan confirming that he too is in the most prolific form of his career.
The Turkey midfielder had not registered a hat-trick in eight and a half years, but his triple against Borussia Mönchengladbach means he is averaging a goal every 36.5 minutes in this season’s competition: 146 minutes played, four goals, one assist.
Having hit the net twice in the Liga and with a goal every 83 minutes in Barça’s Spanish Super Cup win, Arda is demonstrating the efficacy his …