A LIONEL MESSI masterclass inspired Barcelona to a 1-0 victory over Manchester City and a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
The mercurial talisman of the Camp Nou led the reigning English champions a merry dance during the first half, teasing his opponents with a series of nutmegs before creating the opening goal for Ivan Rakitic that ultimately sealed a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
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City – who relied heavily on goalkeeper Joe Hart to keep them in the contest - were unable to make the impression they needed to after half-time as Sergio Aguero won and missed a late penalty, just as Messi had in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Under-fire manager Manuel Pellegrini must now turn his attention back towards a Premier League title defence that has unravelled to the extent that his team face a battle to seal their return to the Champions League next term.
But, while a slump that now stands at four wins across 12 outings in all competitions has often seen City punch below their considerable weight domestically, on Wednesday they ran into a sublime side who enter Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid with realistic designs on the top prizes at home and abroad.
