Messi salvages a draw for Barcelona
Print Edition
Barcelona sought to silence any alarm bells ringing ahead of Saturday’s La Liga 'Clasico’ at home to Real Madrid after they stuttered to a draw in their Champions League game at AC Milan on Tuesday.
Barca needed a Lionel Messi equalizer to rescue a point in the 1-1 Group H stalemate at the San Siro. But despite hogging possession in customary fashion, they looked short on ideas in attack following a frustrating 0-0 draw at Osasuna on Saturday.
Barcelona moved up to seven points, with unbeaten Milan in second spot on five, two ahead of Celtic, which beat Ajax 2-1 in Glasgow.
Real are third in La Liga, three points behind their arch rivals, and a win at the Nou Camp would put them level with Barca on 25 points from 10 games.
Barca are still unbeaten this season and top both La Liga and its group in Europe’s elite club competition but have consistently struggled against defensive-minded opponents even with the firepower of Argentine World Player of the Year Messi and Brazil forward Neymar.
Manager Gerardo Martino dismissed concerns about his team’s form at his post-match press conference in Milan.
“I have no doubts about the team’s ability to perform,” he said.
“I would have liked to beat Osasuna and Milan but we’re doing well and we’re still growing,” added the 50-year-old.
“Our play hasn’t gotten worse and I don’t think we’ve regressed.”
Milan took the game to Barca in the early stages and were rewarded when a defensive blunder allowed playmaker Kaka to set up fellow Brazilian Robinho, both of whom used to play for Real, for the opening goal in the ninth minute.
Barca equalized in the 23rd minute after they won possession in central midfield, Andres Iniesta fed Messi on the right and he cut inside into the penalty area before clipping the ball past Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia.
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