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Barcelona goalscorer Ivan Rakitic.

Messi provides masterclass but finds Hart at his best as Barca send Man City out

Ivan Rakitic scored to hand the Catalan giants a 1-0 win with Sergio Aguero missing a penalty for the visitors.

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.
https://vine.co/v/OV2WbBmbOgm

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.

Messi’s assist tonight was so perfect it turned Pep Guardiola into a Barca fan again

We know they’re brilliant but Dortmund fans outdid themselves with this pre-match mosaic

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    Mute Ger Punch
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    Jan 28th 2015, 8:43 AM

    So he won’t comment on Costa regarding two stamps but has an opinion on every decision that went against him. A dose of wengeritis me thinks.

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    Mute Eoin Hurley
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    Jan 28th 2015, 8:43 AM

    Funny, when etoo kicked Suarez in the box last year he was adamant that wasn’t a penalty. So what’s he yapping about this time?

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    Mute Laura Walsh
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    Jan 28th 2015, 11:34 AM

    Etoo also made a horrendous challenge on a Liverpool player in the first two mins of that game last year also if my memory serves me correctly. Howard Webb bottled that game, as per usual.

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Jan 28th 2015, 1:03 PM

    Oscar almost crippled Lucas in that game too, he got a yellow and he was remorseful, but still, these things show how lucky Chelsea have been. They should have the worst disciplinary record in the league.

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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    Jan 28th 2015, 9:32 AM

    Costa is probably facing a ban , so Maureen won’t comment on it cause he doesn’t want to implicate him even more then what he is already

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Jan 28th 2015, 12:34 PM

    Johhny, when has Maureen ever talked about it when it is about his players? But, if against his team, he is willing to destroy the reputation of a ref, or like he did with Suarez, call them terrible things to the game…… Suarez was/is an immature player, prone to very stupid things, but he loves football 100%, has the skills to back it up. Costa plays for Chelsea, so it is ok.

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    Mute Hoof Hearted
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    Jan 28th 2015, 10:14 AM

    “Great campaign. We know how much that pundit loves Chelsea and particularly loves me. When you are there and you are paid and you are very well paid – much more than some managers that have to put their ass, every 90 minutes, every weekend on the bench.

    “These guys, they have a very good seat, very good money, no pressure. They are always right. They never lose, they always win, but they have to be fair and they have to be honest. I don’t know his name, because when I see him I switch off the television.”

    Classic Mourinho !

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