Messi-inspired Barca outclass lacklustre Man City

Friday, 20 March 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rakitic (C) celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal for BarcelonaAction Images via Reuters / Carl RecineLivepic Reuters: Lionel Messi-inspired Barcelona overwhelmed Manchester City as Ivan Rakitic’s strike secured a 1-0 win on Wednesday that sent the Spanish giants into the Champions League quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate. Only a magnificent performance by goalkeeper Joe Hart saved City from a heavy defeat and Sergio Aguero’s feeble late penalty miss proved insignificant for the outclassed English champions. Messi has been in blistering form and he delighted the home fans in a packed Nou Camp by relentlessly teasing the City players with his party tricks. City’s hopes depended on having a tight defence, but under-fire centre back Vincent Kompany gifted the hosts a golden chance after five minutes, when Dani Alves stole the ball and set up Neymar whose shot came back off the post. Messi had a shot from a tight angle saved by Hart and the Barcelona forward line were on the receiving end of some wild challenges as City tried to keep them at bay. Barca increased their stranglehold on the tie when Messi found Rakitic in space to score and Suarez ran through on goal but was denied by a post. The hosts continued to create clearcut chances in the second half with Neymar missing an excellent opportunity with just the keeper to beat after 75 minutes. Barca were guilty of sitting on their lead and could have been punished had City been more clinical.