FC Barcelona: Messi Scores a spell breaker
By Mohau
Ramashidja
FC Barcelona travelled to England on Tuesday hoping
not to get a royal hiding from the queen’s knights, Manchester City FC.
Barca entered into their tenth in a row last sixteen
clash of the UEFA Champions League with a record of 14 defeats, eight draws and
six wins playing in England. However the newcomers had a far much more
impressive record sheet. Man City had only lost once against Bayern Munich in
their 23 continental clashes earlier this season. And given the level of
managerial experience under Manuel Pellegrini; Man City fans sure hope for a
tailor-made defeat for the Spaniards.
But it was in the first seven minutes after Kick off
that Etihad Stadium was arrayed with the style of football their opposition had
brought to their park. Quick ball distribution was the order of the day.
Calmness and absolute concentration was a necessity to defuse a ticking bomb
(or ball) set before them. Xavi’s
thunderbolt Cleared away by Man City’s Joe Hart and Negredo missing one of his many
scoring chances telegraphed to him.
Although the first half birthed out unnecessary
fouls and a goalless tie between the two, the 2nd half had a
different story to tell. It was all thanks to Man City’s Defender Demichelis’
foul on Messi which awarded Barcelona a penalty spot to score a spell breaker
of the last seven years without a win in England. It was Messi who did the honours
in the 54th minute, scoring his 388 goal for his current club.
Both sides made substitutions in the 73rd
minute to solidify their squads. But it was Barca’s manager Gerardo Martino who
had the winning cards on the table.
Slick passing between Naymar and Dani Alves birthed
out a classical finish in the dying ends of the 2nd half, thanks to
the rightback’s impeccable finish.
Manchester City is set to lock horns for a comeback with
FC Barcelona at Camp Nou stadium on March 12. Match kicks off at 9:45 PM South
Africa standard time.
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