Lionel Messi Champions League goals send Barcelona into quarter-finals where Liverpool and Manchester City could punish them

Lionel Messi Champions League goals send Barcelona into quarter-finals where Liverpool and Manchester City could punish them
In a seven-day period where both Real Madrid and Atltico Madrid crashed out of the Champions League despite favourable first leg scorelines, Barcelonas 5-1 win over Lyon and progression to the quarter-finals will feel particularly sweet.6

Barcelona sailed through to the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Lyon

For every year since 2015, Madrid have gone further in Europe than Bara, while Atleti were Spains biggest summer spenders and had a final at their home ground to look forward to. Yet despite the former having two away goals and facing an opponent with far lesser resources in the last 16, and the latter going into their tie with a 2-0 advantage, both were humiliated and comprehensively taken apart, sent home early.6

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick for Juventus to dump Atletico Madrid out of the Champions League, while his former club, Real Madrid, were eliminated by Ajax

Bara, meanwhile, failed to score away from home in a sluggish first leg against Lyon, and seemingly had the mountain to climb. Ernesto Valverdes men ultimately conquered it, scoring five goals and booking their ticket to the quarter-finals by a sizeable margin. Thats the result on paper. Considered in detail, the performance was a mixed back though. At times in the first half, the Blaugrana were sublime. For 20 minutes in the second they were awful, and fortunate the team in front of them was not one of higher quality.First the good: in phases of the opening 45 minutes it looked like the thrilling Bara of old, turning on the afterburners in the final third to erode Lyons defence, and stroking the ball around with a cold head in front of their own goal when under pressure, frustrating onrushing opposition.6

Lionel Messi scored twice in Barcelona’s 5-1 win against Lyon

In Arthur they have finally found a rare player capable of playing the Xavi role, and his first half showing on Wednesday was nothing short of an exhibition in control and solidarity. There was plenty of the patient, measured passing for which he is gaining a growing reputation, but also moments where the Brazilian would keep opponents guessing by driving forward, dribbling to draw markers and provide vital space for his teammates. Always with his head up, always on the move to provide a safe passing option for players under pressure, in his defensive work he was subtly solid too, never resorting to lunging in and instead pressing and pushing Lyon into mistakes on the ball.6

Coutinho also found the back of the net

And there are signs of life from Philippe Coutinho, whistled by a section of the Bara support last weekend against Rayo Vallecano, but applauded enthusiastically by the Camp Nou by the time he was withdrawn against Lyon. The number seven seemed out to prove a point, playing sharp exchanges with Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, and encouragingly choosing not to overuse the option of cutting inside and looking for a shot as has become habitual this season.Coutinhos goal on the half-hour mark, brilliantly teed up by a typically selfless Suarez, was well-deserved, and was the product of threatening, incisive movement that suggests he could yet turn things around and become and important player for the Catalans in the key stage of the season. The Brazilian being taken off in the second period had more to do with the need for pace up front in a stretched game than any failings in his performance (and replacement Ousmane Dembl ultimately scoring on the break proved Valverde was right with that tactical switch).

A Messi night for Lyon in Barcelona…Two beautiful goals Two perfect assists Lionel Messi is not of this planet pic.twitter.com/X2APVQuHEe— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 14, 2019

As for that second half, the biggest concern for Barcelonas coach will be how easily his team slipped into the trap of playing with fire, taking their foot off the gas and needlessly giving Lyon a route back into a game in which the French side had been pummelled. Golden chances were wasted by the home team, moves over-complicated and the kind of relaxed attitude you would expect at 5-0 up shown, not at 2-0 as the scoreline was at the time. When the visitors scored through Lucas Tousart to put serious pressure on the LaLiga champions it was entirely through Barcelonas own doing.Valverdes decision to bring on Arturo Vidal, who did what he always does and ran around a lot, committed tactical fouls and broke up play, said it all. There was genuine panic in the air. For 20 minutes the Catalans gave up all control, and in spells Lyon had 10 men in the home teams half.6

Lionel Messi scored twice and created two goals in Barcelona’s demolition of Lyon

Unfortunately for Bruno Genesios team, Lionel Messi, who had been a touch off pace until then, finally found his radar and scored Baras third on the break just as Lyon were at their most dangerous. With the game then hugely stretched, Messi surged again and picked out Piqu for the fourth, then Dembl for the fifth to end the Ligue 1 sides outing.Yet the scoreline doesnt change how the visitors caused more problems than they should have given the absolute dominance of the Catalans for half of the match. We produced an incredible first half, and later we did find it tricky but we got over it the score was fair, was Valverdes conclusion when asked by Rac1. We have to remember that were in a tough competition where any team can make things difficult for you as we saw in other ties, and it isnt easy.6

Messi was the star of the show

Comfortable scoreline on Wednesday or not, if Barcelona produce a similar prolonged switch-off against Manchester City, Juventus or Liverpool, they will likely find things are less forgiving. On the other hand, if they can replicate what they did to Lyon for 45 minutes over something closer to a 90-minute period, they could well lift the trophy at the Wanda Metropolitano in May. The jury is still out for the moment.

---

Image Credits: Elespanol. Five members of staff at Salford Royal Hospital are accused of illegally accessing Sir Alex Ferguson's medical records as he fought for life in ­hospital after a brain haemorrhage earlier this year.
Sir Alex Ferguson's medical notes 'were blagged by the News

---

Manchester United 'agree' £86m huge striker deal as Liverpool transfer deal could see them 'on top for ten years' and Arsenal and United chase Real Madrid star - Premier League rumours
Liverpool to sacrifice Fabinho to land PSG's German superstar

---

May 17, 2019 · Massimiliano Allegri is to leave his post as Juventus manager at the end of the season after five years with the Italian champions.. A statement posted on the club website on Friday morning said
Massimiliano Allegri: Juventus manager to leave Serie A

---

Mauricio Pochettino 2019 player profile, game log, season stats, career stats, recent news In-depth Premier League news, rankings and projections.
Ajax vs. Tottenham Hotspur - Wednesday, May 8, 2019

---

Callum Wilson becomes No 1 West Ham transfer target as Marko Arnautovic attracts interest from Chinese Super League replacement and Bournemouth and England striker Wilson is firmly in their
Callum Wilson to Chelsea: Eddie Howe offers transfer update

---

Petr Cech maintains his 'sole focus' is to help Arsenal win the Europa League following a report the goalkeeper is to return to his former club Chelsea in a sporting director role. Cech, who turned 37 on Monday, confirmed earlier this year he will retire following the showpiece game between the Gunners and the Blues…
Chelsea vs Arsenal: Petr Cech dismisses speculation over

---

Liverpool star Andy Robertson drops injury update after clash with Barcelona's Luis Suarez LIVERPOOL defender Andy Robertson has given an update on his fitness following his clash with Luis Suarez

---

Premier League Extra Time: Matt Ritchie's tantrum, Maurizio Sarri chews a cigarette Fox Sports NEWCASTLE star Matt Ritchie threw a tantrum in the style of his lookalike Gordon Ramsay as he was substituted against Spurs , while Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri skirted around the league's no smoking policy with a bizarre tactic.
Stoke - Premier League

---

Championship round-up Sheffield United close the gap to Championship leaders Norwich to just three points Stoke as title rivals Sheff Utd picked up a win Forest 3-0 Middlesbrough. Reading
Championship round-up: West Brom keep up pressure on top two

---

Tottenham's unbeaten run proves that Arsenal no longer rule North London last North London derby Premier League match-winner for Arsenal was Tomas Rosicky. That was in April 2014 at a time
Why this North London derby is bigger for Arsenal than
bestwnews.com/sport/why-this-north-london-derby-is-bigger-for-arsenal-than-tottenham-according-to-paul-merson/
Just three points separate the sides, with Tottenham sat in third and Arsenal just outside the top four, but a win for the Gunners could turn it on its head. Speaking On Sky Sports' The Debate, Paul Merson said: "This game this weekend is a bigger game for Arsenal than Tottenham, that is how it has swung really.
Tim Sherwood and David Seaman: It's already a must-win for

---

Luka Modric says he doesn't really care if he wins the Ballon

---

Man Utd beat Juventus and PSG to January deal for teen sensation MANCHESTER UNITED are set to complete a January signing - with the addition of 16-year-old Noam Emeran.
Manchester United set to sign Noam Emeran after seeing off

---

Leeds United 4-0 West Bromwich Albion: Patrick Bamford double

---

Fulham's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed with a 4-1 loss to Watford at Vicarage Road on Tuesday. Will Hughes, Troy Deeney and Kiko Femenia struck as the Cottagers crumbled in the second half and were left 16 points adrift of safety with just five games remaining.

---

Peter Crouch made 42 appearances for England. At 38, Peter Crouch is used to moving football clubs, but this must be the first time the new Burnley striker has been welcomed with his own sausage.
Peter Crouch: Burnley striker to get own sausage called

---