In case you didn’t know…
After failing to hold on to a three-goal lead against Roma last year, Barcelona suffered another heartbreak in the Champions League. Barcelona enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory at Nou Camp in the first leg of semi-finals against Liverpool but the Reds pulled off a miraculous comeback at their home to win 4-3 on aggregate.
Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum both scored a brace as Liverpool inflicted a crushing 4-0 defeat in the second leg. Lionel Messi, who netted two goals in the first leg, was contained by Virgil Van Dijk & Co. as the Catalan giants failed to score in the match.
Despite the failure, Messi is enjoying another historic season and leads the Champions League goalscoring charts with 12 goals. The 31-year-old is also leading the race for European Golden Shoe with 34 LaLiga goals so far this campaign and remains one of the highest assist providers in Europe.
Speaking after the match, Valverde said:
The heart of the matter
Messi scored six goals in the knockout stages but failed to ensure a place at Champions League finals for the fourth successive year.
The Argentine was visibly distraught after the match as he broke down to tears. Messi was also left by Barcelona team bus due to anti-doping tests which is why the Argentine reached the airport later.
At the airport, few unhappy travelling fans expressed their frustration over the team’s failures in the Champions League once again. Messi was with his personal assistant and body-guard who controlled the situation.
What’s next?
Barcelona will face Getafe next in the LaLiga.
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