Messi 'spark' back for Barca

Superstar striker snipes a pair to pace 3-1 triumph over AC Milan

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino has said he never doubted Lionel Messi would soon be back on the scoresheet as the Argentine struck twice to put Barcelona into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over AC Milan.

Messi had failed to find the net for three consecutive games after scoring Barca's equalizer in the 1-1 draw between the sides in Italy two weeks ago.

But he ended his drought on Wednesday with a first-half penalty and then took his tally to six goals in just three Champions League appearances this season with a lovely finish over Christian Abbiati seven minutes from time to seal the three points.

"I always saw him in the same way. Evidently, making comments about Leo when they are negative has its risks," said Martino.

"He played a phenomenal game. He had spark, speed, ability in one-on-ones, everything. He is one of the few players in the world that you have to be careful with when you see him in a bad light because he can turn everything around in three days and put in a performance like today."

The victory moved Barca to 10 points after four games, five ahead of Milan, with Ajax and Celtic one and two points further back respectively.

With advancement to the knockout stages assured, Martino wants to wrap up first place in the group when Barca visits Ajax in three weeks.

"To finish first is what we are looking for. Moreover, one begins to think, because there are no great surprises in the groups, that the favorites will be the group winners, but you never know who you might draw.

"What most interests us is finishing first to feel better in ourselves. More for our confidence than thinking about the future."

For Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri it was another disappointing evening as, after an awful start to its domestic campaign, the Italians slipped to their first European defeat of the season.

However, he congratulated his players for staying in the game until the final 10 minutes and is still confident of progressing along with the Spanish champion come the end of the group.

"The team played a lot better in the second half and we had various opportunities to equalize if we had been a bit better with the final pass," he said.

"I have to congratulate the players because it is never easy to play against Barcelona and it hasn't harmed our chances in the Champions League."

A huge part of the reason for Milan's turnaround after the break had to do with the introduction of Mario Balotelli from the bench after he had been surprisingly left out of Allegri's starting lineup in favor of Robinho.

However, Allegri defended the decision by highlighting Balotelli's lack of form and fitness this season.

"Mario is coming from a season in which he hasn't played very well. He has had injuries and hasn't played that many games. In the first game Robinho played very well but tonight he played less well technically.

"Balotelli is a very important player for us, but he also made a few errors in the final pass. He still has a lot to learn and we expect a lot more from him."

(China Daily 11/08/2013 page23)