Luis Suarez scored twice and Gael Clichy was sent
off before Lionel Messi missed a penalty in
Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Manchester City.
Luis Suarez’s first-half double put Barcelona on
course for the quarter-finals of the UEFA
Champions League, but Joe Hart saved a last-gasp
Lionel Messi penalty to keep Manchester City in the
last-16 tie as the Catalan giants won 2-1 at the
Etihad Stadium.
Barca beat the Premier League champions 4-1 on
aggregate in the round of 16 last year and Suarez’s
first brace for the club ensured they are strong
favourites to knock Manuel Pellegrini’s side out
again 12 months later.
City were unable to cope with Luis Enrique’s men in
the first half and could have been further behind as
the attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez
caused all sorts of problems.
Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back in a second half in
which City gave a far better account of themselves,
but a fightback looked unlikely when Gael Clichy
was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Messi could have given City an even bigger
mountain to climb when he won a penalty into the
final minute of stoppage time, only for Hart to
deny the Argentina forward with a fine save.
City will welcome the influential Yaya Toure back for
the return game against his former club on March
18, but they have it all to do as they attempt to reach
the last eight of the Champions League for the first
time.
The recalled Martin Demichelis was sent off for a
professional foul on Messi at the Etihad Stadium last
season, but the defender denied his Argentina
team-mate with a fine tackle after Neymar had
foxed Pablo Zabaleta and delivered a fine pass.
Suarez fired just wide of the near post as City
struggled to cope with Barca’s rapid passing and
movement. However, the Uruguay striker was
not denied an opening goal after 16 minutes.
Messi was as at his brilliant best and, when Vincent
Kompany could only head the mercurial forward’s
cross against Suarez, the former Liverpool man
fired home with his left foot before the Belgium
captain had time to react.
Edin Dzeko headed just wide when City made a rare
foray forward before Barca doubled their lead after
30 minutes and once again it was Suarez applying
the finish.
City were unable to stop Messi as he surged
forward at pace and laid the ball off for Jordi Alba,
who showed great composure to bide his time
before delivering a cross for the onrushing Suarez
to tuck in from close range.
off before Lionel Messi missed a penalty in
Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Manchester City.
Luis Suarez’s first-half double put Barcelona on
course for the quarter-finals of the UEFA
Champions League, but Joe Hart saved a last-gasp
Lionel Messi penalty to keep Manchester City in the
last-16 tie as the Catalan giants won 2-1 at the
Etihad Stadium.
Barca beat the Premier League champions 4-1 on
aggregate in the round of 16 last year and Suarez’s
first brace for the club ensured they are strong
favourites to knock Manuel Pellegrini’s side out
again 12 months later.
City were unable to cope with Luis Enrique’s men in
the first half and could have been further behind as
the attacking trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez
caused all sorts of problems.
Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back in a second half in
which City gave a far better account of themselves,
but a fightback looked unlikely when Gael Clichy
was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Messi could have given City an even bigger
mountain to climb when he won a penalty into the
final minute of stoppage time, only for Hart to
deny the Argentina forward with a fine save.
City will welcome the influential Yaya Toure back for
the return game against his former club on March
18, but they have it all to do as they attempt to reach
the last eight of the Champions League for the first
time.
The recalled Martin Demichelis was sent off for a
professional foul on Messi at the Etihad Stadium last
season, but the defender denied his Argentina
team-mate with a fine tackle after Neymar had
foxed Pablo Zabaleta and delivered a fine pass.
Suarez fired just wide of the near post as City
struggled to cope with Barca’s rapid passing and
movement. However, the Uruguay striker was
not denied an opening goal after 16 minutes.
Messi was as at his brilliant best and, when Vincent
Kompany could only head the mercurial forward’s
cross against Suarez, the former Liverpool man
fired home with his left foot before the Belgium
captain had time to react.
Edin Dzeko headed just wide when City made a rare
foray forward before Barca doubled their lead after
30 minutes and once again it was Suarez applying
the finish.
City were unable to stop Messi as he surged
forward at pace and laid the ball off for Jordi Alba,
who showed great composure to bide his time
before delivering a cross for the onrushing Suarez
to tuck in from close range.
posted from Bloggeroid
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