Champions League: Messi gives Barca advantage over Chelsea

By Daily Sports on February 21, 2018

Lionel Messi struck for the first time in nine games against Chelsea to give Barcelona the upper hand from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Willian's fine strike just after the hour mark had put Chelsea in command after earlier hitting both posts in the first half.

However, one moment of carelessness cost Chelsea dear as Andres Iniesta intercepted Andreas Christensen's pass to tee up Messi to swing the balance of the tie in Barca's favour 15 minutes from time.

The English champions must now score when they travel to the Camp Nou on March 14 to have any chance of making the last eight.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte sprang a surprise before kick-off by leaving out both Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata with Eden Hazard instead operating in the middle of a front three featuring Willian and former Barca winger Pedro Rodriguez.

And it was Hazard who sent the first warning that Barca were in for an uncomfortable evening when he fired just over from 20 yards five minutes in.

Antonio Rudiger also headed just wide in a positive opening from the hosts, but it was Barca who had the first clear chance on 16 minutes.

Chelsea constantly tried to surround Messi with three or four blue shirts to limit the Argentine's threat, but he dug out a cross to the far post where an unmarked Paulinho headed wide. © AFP

•Photo shows Lionel Messi.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 21, 2018


 

You may also like...
Kogi State on the verge of losing star...

Interim Management Committee: All Eyes On Elegbeleye, Bassey....

Dare promises more facilities as ministry unveils Oba...

Super Eagles New Jersey To Be Unveiled Next...

Osimhen, Lukaku clash in Serie A

England’s Rice Out Of World Cup Qualifiers

 

Latest News De Laurentiis desperate to sign Lookman Delap markes debut with an assist as Chelsea win at the Club World Cup Fans found guilty of hate crimes against Vinicius Jr Son decision set to be delayed until after Spurs' Asia tour Ronaldo loan move to Al-Hilal 'counter-intuitive' NOC Commences Construction Of Its Permanent Secretariat In Abuja Dilapidated Awka Township Stadium is begging for rehabilitation to boost the vision Gala confident of sealing record Osimhen transfer Man City's Cherki wants Man Utd revenge Delap a 'future England number nine' - Maresca Paris St-Germain cruise past 10-man Atletico Madrid in Club World Cup encounter Hamilton 'devastated' after running over groundhog

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,529 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,688 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,705 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (44,301 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (44,296 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (44,290 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (44,087 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,633 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,745 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,366 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,806 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (39,232 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media