Messi in top form before Clasico
Print Edition
BARCELONA may have only beaten Manchester City by a slender margin but the way its Lionel Messi-inspired attack terrorized the Premier League champion’s defense is an ominous sign for Real Madrid ahead of the ‘El Clasico’ on Sunday.
Barcelona sealed a Champions League last eight place with a 3-1 aggregate triumph following Wednesday’s 1-0 win but some sloppy finishing and an inspired performance from City keeper Joe Hart kept the winning margin down to a respectable level. However, the dominant performance would still have been pleasing for coach Luis Enrique, who in just a few months has silenced doubters questioning his credentials to become the leader of a side contending for silverware on three fronts.
The Catalan side is on a run of 17 victories from its last 18 games in which it has qualified for the Copa del Rey’s final and moved a point clear of Real Madrid in La Liga.
While Messi has been the talisman, Luis Suarez and Neymar are also looking menacing in a potent three-pronged attack as Barcelona faces a crunch clash with Real this weekend that could go a long way to deciding where the title ends up. “We are playing well but we cannot get carried away because there is a long way to go,” Messi told reporters.
“We have some big games... first against Madrid and then there are the quarter-finals (of the Champions League) where we will face another tough team.”
By contrast, arch-rival Real has stuttered of late, recording just one win from four games in all competitions and a defeat on Sunday would intensify the pressure on them.
“I have a lot of respect for Madrid. When Madrid are in this situation it is when they are most dangerous,” Messi added. “They have great players. We will go out to play our football and look to win but at the same time we need to be wary of them as much as ever.”
Meanwhile, Manuel Pellegrini insisted he felt no pressure to keep his job as Manchester City manager. After saying talks about his future would take place at the end of the season, whether City retain its Premier League title or not, he said: “Lionel Messi was imperious — at the moment we have to accept Barcelona are better. It is not a failure, it is a disappointment.
“We have been unlucky to play Barcelona for two years in a row. We have had a restriction on the number of players we can use in the Champions League.”
Pellegrini said the failure of any English side to make the quarterfinals for a second time in three years is related to the Premier League’s relentless winter schedule.
“It is difficult to explain because it is a very strong league with teams that have the capacity economically to bring in very good players,” said the Chilean.
“On the other hand, possibly the fact of playing so many games in December and January whilst the teams in Germany, Italy, Spain all stop means they arrive fresher (to this stage of the competition).
“They are two very heavy months in terms of workload for us and that could be a related factor because there is no doubt the Premier League has very good teams and players.”
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