Pepe is a brute and an ugly cunt. I doubt he was sent out to kick Messi though. You don't get away with shit like that against Barcelona.
What good are attacking players, if you don't have the ball?
I'm sure everyone would have loved if Real had came out and started attacking right from the kick-off. An open game is always much more interesting to watch. But the problem with playing an open game against Barcelona, is that they have Messi. He can single handedly destroy even the best of defences, if he's allowed to pick up the ball and start running at defenders.
Despite the hype of Xavi, Pedro, Villa et al. Barcelona would not be half the force without Messi.