MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 11:29:11| >> :60:155:155:

Pep Guardiola sticks by Lionel Messi after missed penalty

Pep Guardiola expresses his support to Lionel Messi after the Barcelona star missed a penalty in the Catalans' semi-final defeat to Chelsea.

Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has thanked Lionel Messi for his efforts, despite missing a potentially match-winning penalty against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final last night.

The Ballon d'Or winner failed to extend the Catalans' lead at the Nou Camp, which eventually ended 3-2 on aggregate for Chelsea following Fernando Torres's late strike in Spain.

"We have got this far thanks to this kid," said Guardiola. "More than ever I want to thank him for what he's done. I don't doubt he will have a few bad hours now but football is like this.

"Sometimes you smile and sometimes you are sad and it's our turn to be sad and someone else is going to the final in Munich and we have to come back next year."

Chelsea will meet either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final next month.

ID:25010: cacheID:25010:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1665:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Fernando Torres
Read Next:
'Dream come true' for Torres
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!