More Messi magic mauls Stuttgart
Reuters - Wednesday 17 March 2010, 23:51
BARCELONA - Lionel Messi's brilliance
sent holders Barcelona through to the Champions League
quarter-finals with a 4-0 dismantling of VfB Stuttgart on
Wednesday.
Messi scored twice, including a 13th minute stunner that set
the Catalans on their way, and was instrumental in the second
goal from Pedro, before Bojan Krkic sealed a 5-1 aggregate win.
Barca's victory sent them through to the last eight for a
third successive season and salvaged some honour for Spain after
the elimination of La Liga sides Real Madrid and Sevilla.
NEWS: Messi compared to sporting greats
"Only Manchester United have managed to get to the quarters
the following season as reigning champions before and I want to
congratulate my team for that," proud coach Pep Guardiola said
at a news conference.
"Being among the eight best again and being able to compete
with them fills us with excitement," he added.
The excitement during the match was supplied by the
beguiling skill of Messi.
After collecting the ball just inside the visitors' half, he
raced towards the retreating Stuttgart defence before unleashing
a left-foot shot that fizzed past goalkeeper Jens Lehmann high
into the net.
SMART WORK
The FIFA World Player of the Year turned creator nine
minutes later. A superbly weighted pass sent Yaya Toure clear on
the left and forward Pedro timed his run to perfection to sweep
home the Ivory Coast midfielder's low cross.
More smart work from Messi set up Toure in the 55th but his
low drive flew just wide of Lehmann's right-hand post.
Messi beat Lehmann again with a low strike from the edge of
the area on the hour, his eighth goal in four matches in all
competitions, to end Stuttgart's hopes.
NEWS: Messi keeps Barca on course for double
As Barca asserted their dominance, a rampant Messi almost
completed his hat-trick with a header in the 68th, well saved by
Lehmann, before Krkic wrapped things up a minute after replacing
Andres Iniesta.
Stuttgart coach Christian Gross said Real's elimination by
Olympique Lyon last week had probably been an extra motivation
for the Barca players.
"They pinned us back and we couldn't make any headway down
the flanks," the Swiss said. "They are the best team in the
world and when they go ahead in front of their own fans it's
very difficult," he added.
The draw for the quarter-finals is on Friday and on this
evidence, Barcelona will again be the team to avoid.
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