FC Barcelona have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League thanks to Lionel Messi. The Argentinian scored twice in four minutes to beat Manchester United 3-0 (2-0). The Red Devils only made efforts to make up for the 1-0 defeat in the first leg in the early stages.
In the semi-finals, Barca will now face the winner of the match between FC Liverpool and Porto. The Reds won their home game last week 2-0.
“Whether it’s Liverpool or Porto, the end of Juventus has shown that no one can think of themselves as safe. Two difficult semi-final matches await us,” predicted match winner Messi after the final whistle.
Ernesto Valverde (FC Barcelona coach): “It was a great game with slight difficulties at the beginning. Leo always shows up in the big games. Not just with goals. He’s taking over the game. That’s what makes him so unique.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (coach Manchester United): “We got off to a good start and then Messi gave us two goals in one stroke. He has extraordinary abilities. I don’t like to bet. But if I were to bet on a Champions League winner, I’d bet on Barcelona.”
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona): “It was a spectacular game with a great result for us. But we started off a little sleepy and nervous. I don’t know if we felt too safe about the first leg result. That way, we can’t make it to the semifinals. We have to be aware of that. Five or ten bad minutes can cost you progress in the Champions League.”
Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona): “We’re very happy with the victory and the fact that we didn’t concede a goal. Except for the first few minutes, we had almost nothing against Manchester. We have to go on like this. Leo (Messi) of course has a huge share in the victory. He brings everything. That’s why he’s the best player in the world.”
Clement Lenglet (FC Barcelona): “There is no better footballer than Messi. He can do anything. The victory is very important for our self-confidence, another step towards the title. We’re not talking about the triple. There are still some games to play.”
Barca coach Valverde only rebuilt his right defensive side compared to the first leg: Roberto suppressed Semedo. The Catalan basic formation, the 4-3-3, remained unchanged.
United coach Solskjaer, on the other hand, changed the system. Instead of 3-5-2, his team presented themselves in 4-3-1-2 this time. This was partly due to the yellow block imposed by defender Shaw, through whom Jones, a classic central defender, moved next to Smalling. On the other hand the weak offensive performance of the Red Devils at the 0:1 in Old Trafford.
Solskjaer left Lukaku and Dalot on the bench, but Martial and Lingard moved into the United starting eleven. The plan to surprise Barca with quick counterattacks seemed to work out in the first few minutes. Rashford had his first big chance after 40 seconds, but his Lupfer only went to the crossbar. Barca’s defensive left an unsorted impression at this stage.
With his double strike (16., 20.) Messi quickly took away the faith of the guests in the miracle of Barcelona. At the latest after the 2-0, the United-Keeper de Gea with a fatal buck indebted, it had happened around the offensive efforts of the guests.
Barca should have increased to 3:0 before the break, but Roberto only shot de Gea (45.+2) after a cross pass in the sixteenth from Alba from two meters. After the change of sides, the Catalans took a step back and limited themselves primarily to keeping their clean slate – until the 61st minute, when Coutinho conjured up a dream goal from his right foot and made the final decision. In the final phase, ter Stegen was also able to distinguish himself with a brilliant parade against Dalot’s header.
Goal: 1:0 Messi (16.), 2:0 Messi (20.), 3:0 Coutinho (61.)
With two goals within four minutes he advanced early to match winner. The most conspicuous player in the game with a total of six shots on goal, he dribbled knots into his opponents’ legs and, with 13 duels, played most of the Valverde eleven. Also strong: dream goal scorer Coutinho and pass expert Alba, who brought 96 percent of his passes to the teammate.
Messi gave the 2:0 with his mistake and sealed the end of his team after 20 minutes. But the United offensive also disappointed all along the line. Rashford, for example, was completely eliminated except for his chance in the opening minute and only contested two duels.
Barca gave Rakitic a penalty kick in the 12th minute after a foul by Fred, but surprisingly withdrew his decision after viewing the TV pictures. A more than controversial scene, which however had no significant influence on the game. Otherwise, he spent a quiet evening in Camp Nou and moderated the largely fair encounter with confidence.
