Jordi Roura has hailed Barcelona's "extraordinary" achievement in making six successive Champions League semi-finals by edging past Paris Saint-Germain yesterday night, which Barca's players accepted they would not have managed without the contribution of a half-fit Lionel Messi. With Messi on the bench nursing a thigh injury, Javier Pastore's well-taken strike put PSG deservedly 1-0 ahead on the night, and 3-2 on aggregate. However, the Barcelona forward entered the fray with less than half an hour remaining, and helped create the goal for Pedro Rodriguez that saw Barca through to the last four on away goals.
Barca had looked rudderless and anxious without their talisman, which Roura said was more to do with how well PSG had performed than his side's 'Messi-dependence'. Goalscorer Pedro had no doubt where most of the praise should be directed when speaking with Canal Plus after the game. "Messi made a great effort," he said. "He is very important for the team. He worked very hard all week to be with us tonight. We need to thank him and congratulate him for helping the team. He turned things around when he came on. He is the best."
David Villa, who took Messi's incisive pass and then laid the ball off for Pedro to hammer in the crucial goal, also hailed the Argentine's commitment to the Barcelona cause. "Leo is the best player in the world," Villa told reporters. "He changes the game just by being on the pitch. We have to recognise his dedication and commitment, for playing after being injured. With his help, we managed to qualify."
Via ESPN
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