He wasn’t the man of the match. That was Willian. His side didn’t have the best chances. Those fell to Chelsea. Yet if Barcelona approach the second leg as undoubted favourites, and they do, it is Lionel Messi that is responsible. Again.
One chance, one goal. That is all he needs. And Lionel Messi got it because he, along with Barcelona’s immense forward drive, terrifies the opposition, defenders in possession in particular. Andreas Christensen hadn’t looked happy with the ball at his feet all night.
He had already sliced one attempted pass behind him for a corner.