Lionel Messi Fan

Lionel Messi was unable to score yesterday night to help Barcelona reach the 2010 Champions League final as they attempted to go past Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona were crushed 3-1 at the San Siro following controversial decisions from the referee, so they had to obtain at least a 2-0 victory in the second leg, or get a 3-goal margin victory if they failed to keep Inter from getting the ball at the back of the net.

Sadly, no goals appeared in the match in the first 20 minutes, despite Barcelona’s rapidity and willingness in attack. Former Barcelona member Motta was sent off on 26 minutes after he suspiciously placed his hands in the face of Sergio Busquets.

On 30 minutes, there were appeals for handball in the penalty area as Barcelona players accused Inter Milan defender Lucio from handing the ball, but their complains were wrong, and hence the referee ordered for the play to continue.

An aggressive Lionel Messi who only managed to create space for his side and make short intelligent passes in the first period, tried his luck on 32 minutes when he forced a superb save from Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Messi ran past 3 defenders before lashing a shot from the middle, which was punched away for a corner.

Barcelona star Lionel Messi challenged by Inter Milan's Zanetti while playing in the return leg of the semifinals of the 2010 UEFA Champions League at the Camp Nou on April 28.

On 38 minutes, striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic failed to give Barcelona the lead when his shot got blocked by the defense, after an amazing move by Dani Alves. The Swede forward was in terrible shape on the night, but for some reasons, Pep Guardiola allowed him to keep on his attempts on the field. Lionel Messi came in the second half determined to lead his side to triumph, but as Inter Milan were playing a totally negative game, things seemed to be complicated for the Argentine ace.

Maicon and Lucio always looked prepared to stop Messi from exhibiting his trademark runs, while a crowded penalty area was the best option for Jose Mourinho to retain the 2009 Ballon d’Or winner from piercing the defense. Eventually, late in the 84th minute, an offside goal from Gerard Pique put Barcelona back to life, and as the game continued, the Catalans kept pressing on to get a second goal.

Messi tested the keeper with a 20-yard shot, before Xavi made a bullet strike from 25 yards, but Julio Cesar was at his posts to prevent the score line from doubling. In the end, the referee blew his final whistle, and in front of over 90,000 fans at the Camp Nou, Barcelona and Lionel Messi’s dream of defending their Champions League title came to its end.

With the Champions League’s present top scorer Lionel Messi incapable of repeating his attainment against Arsenal, Barcelona’s hopes of playing at the Bernabeu Stadium for another time this year got over. Messi can thus only look ahead to receiving individual awards and nominations after the close this season, while he also strives to let Barcelona retain their La Liga honor.

Isaac Asante, Footballfantalk.com

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