Football
LFP

Barca target 'miracle' as Messi hits top gear

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (L) scored two incredible solo goals against Celta Vigo in their La Liga match on Saturday and his side are hoping the Argentine ace is at the peak of his powers when they look to overturn a 4-0 defecit against PSG in their Champions League round of 16 match on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Ivan Rakitic believes "a miracle" is possible when Barcelona attempt to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.

No side in Champions League history has ever come back from four goals down, but Barca hopes were raised by the sensational form of Lionel Messi in Saturday's 5-0 rout of Celta Vigo.

"We will give everything from the first minute to the last," the Croatian international told Spanish TV station Movistar. "We will try and hopefully we can produce a miracle."

Messi scored two incredible individual goals to open and close the scoring as Barca remained one point clear at the top of La Liga.

The five-time World Player of the Year had a hand in all three other goals too as he teed up Neymar for a sensational chip and crossed for Samuel Umtiti to score his first Barca goal, whilst Rakitic was also on the scoresheet.

In their first outing since coach Luis Enrique announced he will step down at the end of the season, Barca produced arguably their best performance of the campaign.

The Catalans also smashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 in their previous outing -- both scorelines which would be good enough when PSG visit in midweek.

And Enrique said he couldn't have wished for a better build-up to the ultimate challenge.

"That it is one of our best performances in the last few months is without doubt," he said.

"If I had to choose the way in which we would go into the Champions League game against PSG it would be very similar to these last two games: scoring lots of goals, the team gaining confidence and the players getting stronger.

"I think we are in great form for a very difficult tie, that is not lost yet.

"I am sure we are going to have opportunities to get ourselves back in it and we will try until the death."

Enrique's name was chanted by the crowd at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Banners were also raised towards the end of the match willing Barca's players to believe in the most unlikely of comebacks against PSG.

"The fans value a lot what these players have won, the hunger they have and what they show in every game," added Enrique.

"In my time here I have never once seen a poor attitude in any of my players.

“Barca fans should be loyal and, above all, have confidence that the team can come back."

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LFP

Barca target 'miracle' as Messi hits top gear

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi (L) scored two incredible solo goals against Celta Vigo in their La Liga match on Saturday and his side are hoping the Argentine ace is at the peak of his powers when they look to overturn a 4-0 defecit against PSG in their Champions League round of 16 match on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Ivan Rakitic believes "a miracle" is possible when Barcelona attempt to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.

No side in Champions League history has ever come back from four goals down, but Barca hopes were raised by the sensational form of Lionel Messi in Saturday's 5-0 rout of Celta Vigo.

"We will give everything from the first minute to the last," the Croatian international told Spanish TV station Movistar. "We will try and hopefully we can produce a miracle."

Messi scored two incredible individual goals to open and close the scoring as Barca remained one point clear at the top of La Liga.

The five-time World Player of the Year had a hand in all three other goals too as he teed up Neymar for a sensational chip and crossed for Samuel Umtiti to score his first Barca goal, whilst Rakitic was also on the scoresheet.

In their first outing since coach Luis Enrique announced he will step down at the end of the season, Barca produced arguably their best performance of the campaign.

The Catalans also smashed Sporting Gijon 6-1 in their previous outing -- both scorelines which would be good enough when PSG visit in midweek.

And Enrique said he couldn't have wished for a better build-up to the ultimate challenge.

"That it is one of our best performances in the last few months is without doubt," he said.

"If I had to choose the way in which we would go into the Champions League game against PSG it would be very similar to these last two games: scoring lots of goals, the team gaining confidence and the players getting stronger.

"I think we are in great form for a very difficult tie, that is not lost yet.

"I am sure we are going to have opportunities to get ourselves back in it and we will try until the death."

Enrique's name was chanted by the crowd at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Banners were also raised towards the end of the match willing Barca's players to believe in the most unlikely of comebacks against PSG.

"The fans value a lot what these players have won, the hunger they have and what they show in every game," added Enrique.

"In my time here I have never once seen a poor attitude in any of my players.

“Barca fans should be loyal and, above all, have confidence that the team can come back."

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হাসিনা-জয়ের বিরুদ্ধে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে ৩০০ মিলিয়ন ডলার পাচারের অভিযোগ তদন্ত করবে দুদক

এর আগে শেখ হাসিনা, তার বোন শেখ রেহানা, ছেলে সজীব ওয়াজেদ জয় এবং রেহানার মেয়ে টিউলিপ সিদ্দিকের বিরুদ্ধে নয়টি প্রকল্পে ৮০ হাজার কোটি টাকার অনিয়ম ও দুর্নীতির অভিযোগ তদন্তের সিদ্ধান্ত নেয় দুদক।

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