Messi demands more after imperfect Barca blow away United
Barcelona's Lionel Messi in action with Manchester United's Scott McTominay in the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Camp Nou April 16, 2019. — Reuters pic
By the time Philippe Coutinho had curved in a third to send Ernesto Valverde's side into the Champions League semi-finals, United's stirring opening was long-forgotten, except by Barcelona's captain. Thrust into a position of comfort by their mesmeric number 10, Barca put on an exhibition of attacking, possession football, all tricks, flicks and bicycle kicks.
And United's early threat was genuine. Their knack of breaking through central midfield, with only space and a backpedalling Barca defence ahead of them, exposed a fragility against pace and counter-attack that has never been far away.Liverpool are in the semi-finals and having the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane might justifiably feel there is a weakness to exploit.
“You can plan as many tactics as you like,” said United's coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. “If you give him time and space, he will score.”
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