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Messi: The ball would not go in
Nov 7, 2012 11:25:00 PM
The Argentine said his side played better in the defeat to Celtic than they did in their victory over the Glasgow side a fortnight ago, but that luck was not on their side
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £45.00 | Barcelona £16.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £37.50 | Barcelona £16.20 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £42.00 | Barcelona £15.71 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £60.00 | Draw £41.00 | Barcelona £15.30 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £40.00 | Barcelona £15.70 |
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Goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt ensured the Blaugrana's advantage at the top of Group G was cut to two points and prevented Tito Vilanova's side from securing an early passage through to the knockout phase.
After the game, the Argentina forward reflected on a night where missed chances, the woodwork and another inspired performance from goalkeeper Fraser Forster cost his side the game.
"We did everything well, played better than two weeks ago against them, but the ball didn't go in," he told reporters.
“The same thing happened at the Camp Nou. They played defensively and they waited to make fast counterattacks. They are very comfortable on corners and set-pieces, and that’s how they scored their two goals.”
Messi scored in the 90th minute and celebrated with a thumb-sucking gesture, five days on from the birth of his son, but it proved too little too late, with the 25-year-old having earlier hit the bar and Alexis Sanchez the post."In the end, the goal didn't mean anything, the game was already lost. There are enough games left to dedicate goals to Thiago," he added.
Barca coach Vilanova agreed that his player's efforts could not be criticised and reserved special praise for the Celtic keeper.
"We interpreted the game well, knew what we wanted to do, created many chances, but didn't finish well and their keeper was great," he said.
"I don't like to lose, but if we have to lose, let it be this way."
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
8:23 PM BST
This one is really warming up now, with both Robben and Lewandowski having been denied in their respective one-on-ones with Weidenfeller and Neuer. Ladies and gentleman, I'm growing increasingly confident we might have a classic on our hands. Now, all we need is a goal ...
8:20 PM BST
Mario Balotelli might not be involved tonight but you can't keep an incredibly loud man down/quiet, and he's taken to Twitter to voice his support for Dortmund, who of course played their part in dumping the forward's former club Manchester City out of this season's group stages.
8:17 PM BST
BAYERN HAVE WOKEN UP! After sleepwalking their way through the opening quarter of this game, Bayern arise from their slumber to draw a stunning save out of Weidenfeller, who somehow managed to get his fingertips on a fine header from Mandzukic and tip the ball over the bar. Seconds later, Javi Martinez nods just over from the resulting corner. Bayern literally arrived 20 minutes after Dortmund - and it's been the exact same story in terms of the game.
8:11 PM BST
More from our man about the town, Jay Jaffa:
"I would say it was an even battle between both sets of supporters outside Wembley but Dortmund are definitely edging it in the pub I'm in. The streets of central London are quieter than usual and every bar I walked past is spilling out onto the road. London is at a standstill.
"I would say it was an even battle between both sets of supporters outside Wembley but Dortmund are definitely edging it in the pub I'm in. The streets of central London are quieter than usual and every bar I walked past is spilling out onto the road. London is at a standstill.
8:10 PM BST
Reus is involved again, drawing another decent stop out of Neur. Early days, of course, but Bayern look like they might bottle another final! Die Roten fan Tobias is somewhat concerned - but feels Dortmund will pay for their profligacy.
"It is a match where every situation feels like the decisive one. Our start is certainly not good, with Dortmund putting lots of pressure on us. Maybe that was unexpected.
"But look at the bright side: A team that did not convert one of three chances against us probably won't win. We do not give away way more chances than that."
"It is a match where every situation feels like the decisive one. Our start is certainly not good, with Dortmund putting lots of pressure on us. Maybe that was unexpected.
"But look at the bright side: A team that did not convert one of three chances against us probably won't win. We do not give away way more chances than that."
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