THE POTENTIAL CLASSIC THAT TURNED OUT TO BE JUST THAT!

Lionel Messi

Never say never!

In my last post about the first leg of the UCL round of 16 knock-out stage fixture between AC Milan and Barcelona, I suggested that it would be unwise to write off Barcelona in the second leg. What I did not forsee was the ruthless efficiency and totally brutal manner in which the Catalans would dispatch their quarry. I had expected a hard drawn battle that could have gone either way. Apparently, the Catalans were deeply incensed by their woeful performance at the last meeting and came at their visitors like wounded lions.

The Catalans were favorites to exit the UCL after a 2-0 loss at the San Siro but completely turned the tables around hammering the Rossoneri 4-0 to become the first ever team to advance to the quarter-finals of the UCL from that first-leg scoreline with such a display that left no doubt in the minds of anyone that they are without doubt, the best team in the world with one of the most potent strike forces ever seen in the history of the game.

It was Lionel Messi once again who inspired his team to a well-deserved victory by opening the flood gates of goals after a dismal performance in the first leg. His fifth minute strike was nothing short of pure class from a delicious one-two pass between him and Xavi that left Abbiati completely immobile - his second fastest goal in UCL history coming behind his fourth minute strike against Basel in 2008. His second goal which came a few seconds after Niang beat Valdez only to hit the wood work, put Barcelona on aggregate a few minutes before the interval.

The 25 year old Argentine has now scored a whopping 33 goals in 32 UCL appearances in the last three years and is now the second highest goal scorer in the history of the Champion League with 58 goals passing Dutchman, Ruud van Nistelrooy's 56 goals and now trails the Spaniard, Raul Gonzalez who has 71.
David Villa who was quiet for the most part of the game extended the lead a few minutes into the second half after another sumptuous pass from Xavi which he finished beautifully.

It became clear that the park-the-bus tactic which worked so well at the San Siro had to be discarded as Coach Allegri responded by introducing Robinho and Muntari into the fray in place of Niang and Ambrosini. The changes seemed to balance the game as the Rossoneri finally found a bit of possession but they lacked potency upfront to deal the fatal blow of a goal that would have sent Barcelona packing based on the away goal rule. With a few minutes to go, it was a done deal when Alba handled a brilliant pass from Sanchez and slotted it past Abbiati.

Barcelona, with the superb and out-of-this-world talent of Lionel Messi is now seeking its fourth UCL title in eight years and is aiming for its sixth Spanish title in nine seasons.

What a team!

Malcolm O. Ifi.
Photo Credit: The Internet