Summary Messi's sheer presence changed the complexion of the game.
BARCELONA (AFP) - Lionel Messi once again rode to Barcelona s rescue as they squeezed past Paris Saint-Germain on away goals to qualify for an unprecedented sixth consecutive Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
However, having been outplayed by the visitors for the first hour, their dependence on Messi was exposed as despite struggling with a hamstring injury that forced him to start the match on the bench, the four-time World Player of the Year was called upon for the final half hour with his side trailing to Javier Pastore s goal on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
Messi s sheer presence changed the complexion of the game. For the first time in the evening, the Catalan fans rose from their seats to greet their hero as he replaced a frustrated Cesc Fabregas, whilst wary of his threat - even on one leg - the PSG defence seemed to take a step back rather than pressing Barca incessantly as they had done to that point.
Just nine minutes later he sparked the move which proved decisive in the tie. The Argentine skipped past PSG s defensive midfield shield of Marco Veratti and Thiago Motta to release David Villa inside the area and his layoff was smashed into the far corner by Pedro.
Barca s celebration of the goal said it all as a screaming Pedro was engulfed by his teammates, it was a reaction of relief as much as joy.
Even in the final stages this was a distinctly un-Barcelona like display. Villa was sacrificed with six minutes to go for the extra midfield protection offered by Alex Song, but their caution proved justified as starved of the counter-attack on which they had earlier feasted, PSG failed to create another clear opening on goal.
With attention now turning to Friday s semi-final draw in Nyon though, there remains plenty for the Catalans to ponder as they target their third Champions League title in five years.
Overshadowed by Messi s introduction was another defensive injury suffered by Adriano.
The Brazilian rushed his return from a hamstring injury of his own to start in an unfamiliar role at centre-back and his lack of positional discipline was cruelly exposed by PSG.
Indeed, the full-back could count himself slightly fortunate to remain on the field after lunging in on compatriot Lucas Moura three minutes before half-time, but the yellow card he did receive will keep him out of the first-leg of the semis even if he should be fit.
On Wednesday there was a different feel, a both positive and negative inevitability. Barca s players and fans were like the characters in a superhero film, watching everything go wrong and clinging to the hope that the hero would come and save them.
Barca s aura will still make them feared in Friday s draw, but with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich making up the strongest final four there has been in many a year, you have to wonder whether even Messi s superhuman talents can carry them to another Wembley final.
