How Twitter reacted to Messi’s Manchester City mauling
Manchester City already had a mountain to climb after their 2-1 defeat at the Etihad and with the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in full flow, it was always going to be a difficult task to beat Barcelona in the Camp Nou.
The Sky Blues tried but ultimately failed in their task with Messi providing the majority of the magic for the hosts – here is the best of Twitter from the match.
Going into the contest, Manchester City’s terrible Barcelona record really came into focus with Sky Sports using the art of photography to subtly point the finger of blame in one direction…
Here are some stats ahead of the Barcelona vs Manchester City clash tonight. Coverage starts at 7pm on Sky Sports 5. pic.twitter.com/BHkch1o7bU
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) March 18, 2015
Still, as Squawka noted, City did have a rather impressive record against Barcelona in one respect.
Manchester City have had more players sent off vs. Barcelona (3) than they’ve scored goals (2). pic.twitter.com/9rc9Qth2kr
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 18, 2015
Away from the game itself, much of the focus was on Pep Guardiola, who was back at Barcelona! Luis Enrique need not worry too much though – he was only there to watch the game.
Pep to watch Barca at Camp Nou – report. https://t.co/awwNnyt027
— FC Barcelona News (@Barca) March 17, 2015
Many were predicting a dominant display from Barcelona.
93 – Barcelona have had more possession than their opponent in each of their last 93 Champions League games. Control.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 18, 2015
With one man in particular showing his worth.
Infographic: Goals Messi at Barcelona. [by @sportextrahd] pic.twitter.com/qhq3bbsPPa
— Lionel Messi #10 (@WeAreMessi) March 18, 2015
The first-half went according to plan for the Catalans and Messi, who set up Ivan Rakitic’s opener and could have added more. Messi’s own personal highlights were two rather special nutmegs delivered first to Fernandinho in the build-up to the Barca goal and then most notably to James Milner.
Lionel Messi could nutmeg a mermaid tonight. https://t.co/8TQgk3aPjW
— Football Vines (@Vine_Football) March 18, 2015
It left Milner feeling a bit like this…
Lionel Messi snatches James Milner’s soul with devastating nutmeg https://t.co/mhw5VzCXAB pic.twitter.com/nuX7aysnaF
— For The Win (@ForTheWin) March 18, 2015
And left Guardiola all like this…
Nutmeg City! Messi toyed with Man City all day long. Guardiola’s face says it all. WATCH: https://t.co/YIFsL989v9 pic.twitter.com/NNnJ4NIeSz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 19, 2015
In fact, Messi was so good, he could have done a better job defending than Vincent Kompany did.
Tackles won over the two legs between Manchester City and Barcelona: Vincent Kompany (1) Lionel Messi (4) pic.twitter.com/mkK2YNCN18
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 18, 2015
Even Sergio Aguero was off the boil, missing a penalty that could have given the Sky Blues a lifeline late on. Though it seems Barca keeper Ter Stegen had some help from one of his Argentina teammates…
Javier Mascherano knew. https://t.co/4plgIAeksH pic.twitter.com/RXn9Rw4yJD
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 19, 2015
But at least he had promised to stay at the club until forever…
BREAKING: Sergio Aguero signs new 40 year contract with Man City! pic.twitter.com/S9GbFTpfzn
— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) March 18, 2015
The final word must undoubtedly go to Joe Hart, however, who kept the scoreline respectable and silenced plenty of his critics in the process.
Hart Foundation: @MCFC GK Joe Hart made 10 saves tonight, the most in the #UCL this season… pic.twitter.com/u4EWT7xirZ
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 18, 2015
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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