Lionel Messi Lead Barcelona to Hunt Napoli as they Advanced to the Next Stage of the UEFA Champions League
Argentina and Barcelona skipper Lionel Messi was on target as Barcelona thrashed Italian Serie A side 3-1 to win 4-2 on aggregate as they book their place in the Uefa Champions League next stage. They will be playing Bayern Munich who beat English Premier side Chelsea 4-1 making it 7-1 on aggregate.
The Spanish side scored three times through Clement Lenglet, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in an incident-packed first half, during which Messi was also denied a second for handball. With the tie evenly poised at 1-1 after February’s first leg, Messi produced a mazy run and sublime finish to double his side’s lead on the night following Lenglet’s headed opener.
The Argentine and Barcelona skipper had a possible second disallowed by VAR for handball but was later awarded a penalty by the video referee after being brought after he was brought down by Kalidou Koulibaly, the Argentine star gave the ball to his teammate Luis Suarez to play which the player converted excellently well all in the first half.
The first-half drama was not over there, as Ivan Rakitic conceded a penalty for a foul on Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne converted for Napoli in the fifth minute of injury time. In a significantly quieter second period, Lorenzo Insigne failed to test Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a header as the visitors chased a lifeline, while substitute Arkadiusz Milik was on the pitch for less than two minutes when he saw a goal ruled out for offside in the closing stages.
Barcelona boss Quique Setien said: “This was the first forward step we wanted and now it is to be hoped we play the matches in front of us with the same attitude which we demonstrated here.” “The team played well and we deserved this. All the rivals who are left are strong and there are only complicated matches left. It will be tough for us but for Bayern too. They’re a great side but so are we.”
on the other hand, Napoli manager Gattuso said: “We have a lot to regret, we disappeared for half an hour and conceded incredible goals. I am angry we conceded from a set-piece. “We didn’t have enough consistency, even though we started well and could have scored in the opening minutes. My players are strong, but to become even better they need to improve in their attitude. I am disappointed, I believe we could have done better.”