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Even when he draws crooked lines, Leo Messi is capable of illuminating beauty from a soccer ball. He started as he has been doing all his life, from the right, attracting two defenders with his mere presence. He challenged both of them and lost control of the ball along the way. A mirage, as he had sewn a magnet that guaranteed the return. Stumbling, he advanced and conquered marks like someone entering a jungle armed with a machete until he realized that there was no other way possible. It was then that, as the ground fell out of sheer inertia, he begged the ball to go gently towards the long stick of David Ospina , whose hand could only touch the inevitable destiny that the star had invented.

It was then that Barça felt at peace with itself, liberated thanks to Messi's quality and tenacity from the stress he had experienced in the first 20 minutes, despite Clement Lenglet's initial goal , a header from a corner that silenced the bet rival for the ball. That is how paradoxical was the qualification for the quarterfinals of Barcelona, ​​last night a team much more effective than beautiful. Which is, on the other hand, how the Champions are won.

«The team has been very good. During the first minutes we were compromised, but we have overcome and then we have controlled the game. The first part has been very good and in the second they have gained prominence, but without generating many chances, "claimed Quique Setién after the meeting.

"A strong blow"

The Argentine also reached a new record in his career yesterday: he is already the player who has scored a goal for more teams in the history of the Champions League, surpassing his contemporary nemesis, Cristiano Ronaldo with 35 . And only the Portuguese, Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández surpass him in games played.

He also got a scare in an unintentional but very hard kick from Kalidou Koulibaly , which was the penalty with which Suárez scored the third for Setién's team. He limped for a few minutes, but was able to play the second half without difficulty. "He has a strong blow, but I have seen him well, I suppose that he will not have any problem," commented his coach to calm the Catalans.

After exams on Sunday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, everything indicates that Leo will be able to sign from the start at the Da Luz Stadium against Bayern. His absence from morning training does not seem to worry Setien, who could count on his big star in Tuesday's session.

The rebel, outside the stadium

Much more complex seems the situation of the rebel Arthur Melo . Disgusted by the way in which his future transfer to Juventus was managed, the Brazilian did not show up when he returned to training after the post-league holidays. Regretful, or perhaps fearful of a fine, in recent days he traveled to Barcelona from Brazil.

On Saturday he wanted to go to the Camp Nou to see his teammates, but had to return home, as the club did not have his presence and did not include him on the list of attendees given to UEFA. Will it be available to play against Bayern in Lisbon? "This situation has already been discussed and I have nothing to say," settled Setién, for whom Arthur is already history.

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Know more

  • Quique Setien
  • Leo Messi
  • Iker Casillas
  • Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Clément Lenglet
  • sports
  • Champions League
  • FC Barcelona
  • soccer

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