Messi magic -- nail-biting stuff

I'm far from being the only one to say it, but the difference was palpable when Messi, still recovering from his hamstring injury, came on the pitch in the 62nd minute of the quarter finals match with Paris Saint Germain last night. It was like an injection of prozac into his depressed teammates. And a relief to see La Pulga in action after a first half on the bench in which he must have chewed off half his fingernails in frustration.

He didn't have to do a lot and in his inimitable style walked about calmly till the opportunities were delivered. But just with his presence the Barca team which (with the exception of Iniesta) had laboured and misfired during the first half, was galvanised into a demonstration of the slick passing flow which is its trademark. Working together, as they do best, it was still Messi who initiated a path through the penalty area mêlée to Pedro's boot which finished off the winning attack.

With the two away goals collected in Paris, it was enough, and Barca are through to the semis in another record breaking achievement.

Wonderful to watch...

CJM
April 2013