No Messi, no problem as Barca cruises
Source: AFP |
January 12, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BALLON d'Or winner Lionel Messi sat out Barcelona's Copa del Rey's last-16 clash against second division Cordoba on Thursday but he wasn't missed as his team cruised to a 5-0 win.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Barcelona were untroubled with David Villa (21st and 26th minutes), Alexis Sanchez (55 and 85) and Thiago Alcantara (17) all grabbed goals.
As well as Messi, Barcelona were missing coach Tito Vilanova who has been seeking further advice in his cancer battle. Deputy coach Jordi Roura took the reins instead.
Barcelona will face Malaga in a two-legged quarterfinal while Real Zaragoza takes on Sevilla, Real Madrid tackles Valencia and Atletico Madrid meets Real Betis.
Villa has struggled to find minutes since returning from a broken leg. But he again proved he hasn't lost his scoring touch. He was forced off in the closing stages with what the club said later was cramp in his left leg.
"(Villa) is a great scorer. It's his great characteristic and he played a good game," Roura said. "He showed us what we all know, that he will be an important player for us this season."
Elsewhere, Inter Milan has confirmed it could exercise its right of "first refusal" on Mario Balotelli if the troubled Manchester City striker is put on the market.
The report by Panorama.it, citing Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio, comes the same day City is reported to have agreed to let Balotelli go if it is offered 30 million euros for the Italian international. "If Inter decide to exercise it, then that choice will be made when and if City decide to sell," Ausilio said.
Inter has slipped to nine points behind champion Juventus in Italy's Serie A.
Balotelli's future at City has been under a cloud for some time. Known for his off-field antics, he has a troubled relationship with manager Roberto Mancini and reportedly had a training ground bust-up last week. Although the City manager played it down, the latest reports from England suggest City could be tempted to sell if the price is right.
Leading 2-0 from the first leg, Barcelona were untroubled with David Villa (21st and 26th minutes), Alexis Sanchez (55 and 85) and Thiago Alcantara (17) all grabbed goals.
As well as Messi, Barcelona were missing coach Tito Vilanova who has been seeking further advice in his cancer battle. Deputy coach Jordi Roura took the reins instead.
Barcelona will face Malaga in a two-legged quarterfinal while Real Zaragoza takes on Sevilla, Real Madrid tackles Valencia and Atletico Madrid meets Real Betis.
Villa has struggled to find minutes since returning from a broken leg. But he again proved he hasn't lost his scoring touch. He was forced off in the closing stages with what the club said later was cramp in his left leg.
"(Villa) is a great scorer. It's his great characteristic and he played a good game," Roura said. "He showed us what we all know, that he will be an important player for us this season."
Elsewhere, Inter Milan has confirmed it could exercise its right of "first refusal" on Mario Balotelli if the troubled Manchester City striker is put on the market.
The report by Panorama.it, citing Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio, comes the same day City is reported to have agreed to let Balotelli go if it is offered 30 million euros for the Italian international. "If Inter decide to exercise it, then that choice will be made when and if City decide to sell," Ausilio said.
Inter has slipped to nine points behind champion Juventus in Italy's Serie A.
Balotelli's future at City has been under a cloud for some time. Known for his off-field antics, he has a troubled relationship with manager Roberto Mancini and reportedly had a training ground bust-up last week. Although the City manager played it down, the latest reports from England suggest City could be tempted to sell if the price is right.
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