BARCELONA // Lionel Messi again showed why he is often considered the planet's finest footballer as Barcelona defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League last-16 second leg. Without scoring over 180 minutes, the Argentine was the stand-out performer and again tormented the English champions with his brilliance, but it was a double act from two of his teammates which ultimately saw Barca through.
Ivan Rakitic and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were two of Barca’s signings in the last close season. The Swiss-born-and-raised Croat speaks four languages and easily integrated into the dressing room. It was tougher for Ter Stegen, a German, but Rakitic speaks his language and became his only real friend as he settled at his new club.
Rakitic scored the only goal, his first in 19 Champions League games, while Ter Stegen dived to his right and got both hands to a 78th-minute penalty from Sergio Aguero, who had been brought down to win the spot kick.
The save came at the right time for the 22-year-old goalkeeper, who has not been immune to errors. In this match he was caught trying to dribble the ball past Aguero as City fought to get into an encounter in which they had been completely outclassed in an opening half that saw four of their players pick up yellow cards.
With Claudio Bravo used in goal for league games, Ter Stegen has featured in the Champions League and Copa del Rey. Barca have excelled in both and he proved his worth in the second half when City, playing one up front in a departure from Manuel Pellgerini’s usual 4-4-2 formation, had opportunities to draw level.
Such a prospect had seemed bizarre in a first period where Messi mesmerised and Barca dominated, with Andres Iniesta and Neymar foils for Messi and Rakitic allowed to roam in the midfield.
Barca looked dangerous from the start, with Neymar hitting the post after six minutes and a Messi shot kept out by the feet of the excellent Joe Hart after 11 minutes, but it was Rakitic’s opener which delighted the huge crowd.
He was unchecked as Messi drew three defenders towards him before scooping a pass towards him. The Croat chested down the ball and, with a balletic poise, knocked it over the advancing Hart.
As the first half closed and City were fortunate to be only one goal down, Messi put the ball through James Milner’s legs, an act of skill so outrageous that Pep Guardiola, watching high in the stands with family, roared out loud and put his head in his hands.
On Spanish television, the commentator said: “Messi is abusing Manchester City.”
In the stadium, all but the 4,700 travelling fans in the crowd of 92,551 – Barca’s biggest of the season – roared with approval.
The Catalan club came close again when Rakitic delivered a 40th-minute corner which Luis Suarez, who scored twice in the first leg, headed wide. The Uruguayan would come even closer three minutes later when Neymar curled a shot down the left which Suarez ran onto before flicking the ball over Hart, only to see it hit the right hand post. City were on the ropes.
Barca had easily outclassed the English champions in the first half in Manchester, before City came back into the game in the second period. At the end of that victory, Luis Enrique asked his players for reasons why that had happened. None were forthcoming, and he said it was because they played deeper. The further away the ball was from their goal, he reasoned, the less likely Barca were to score.
Determined not to make the same mistake, his side came out attacking for the second half, with Messi, Jordi Alba and Rakitic firing shots, but City, facing a fourth defeat in five games, improved. Without Hart, who made 10 saves, they would not have had a chance.
Rakitic, applauded off the field when replaced by Rafinha after 84 minutes, said: “I think even the City players probably enjoyed watching Messi tonight.” That’s doubtful, but those City players, who likely now will finish the season without a trophy, likely will never forget the experience.
Summing up the positive mood in the Barca camp ahead of Sunday’s clasico, Rakitic, said: “We can’t stop now. The most beautiful part of the season is coming now.”
Great for Barcelona, ominous for everyone who comes in their way. Manchester City will attest to that.
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