MK: Aneke abuse is appalling
MESSI UP FOR A SCRAP
LIONEL MESSI does not fear being roughed up again by Manchester United, according to his Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde.
Messi was flattened by a Chris Smalling challenge
(right) during
Barca’s 1-0 win at
Old Trafford in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
The Argentinian was left with a bloodied nose and swollen face (right) and appeared to go into his shell afterwards, having little impact on the match. But Valverde, who did not pick Messi for Saturday’s goalless draw with La Liga strugglers Huesca, insists he is fit and raring to go.
“I don’t think he is worried about the same thing happening again,” said Valverde. “He’s perfectly fine after the blow he ■ Barcelona have never lost at home against Manchester United in European competition (W2 D2), with their last such meeting 0-0 in April 2008. ■ Barca have progressed from 39 of their 41 European ties in which they won the first leg away from home – the exceptions were FC Koln in the 1980-81 UEFA Cup, and Metz in the 1984-85 Cup Winners’ Cup. ■ United have progressed from one of four previous European ties in which they lost the first leg at home – in the last round against Paris Saint-Germain.
■ Ninety per cent of United’s Champions League goals this season have come away from home (9/10). However, the Red Devils have won just one of their last five away knockout-stage games in the competition (D2 L2).
■ In their first-leg defeat, United failed to register a single shot on target for the first time in a Champions League game since March 2005 (0-1 v AC Milan).
■ Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has scored 22 goals in 31 Champions League games against English rivals, more than any other player – and 13 in his last nine against English sides at
Camp Nou. suffered. He was OK a couple of days after it.
“But he was a little bit stunned at the time, although he’s OK now for this game and ready to go.”
Barca are hot favourites to reach the semi-finals, but Valverde added: “We have examples of what United have done in the Champions League away from home this season.
“What I fear most is the spirit they have. You can feel their spirit on the pitch and we expect to see that here.” MK DONS say they are “appalled” after their forward Chuks Aneke was the subject of racist abuse on social media.
The post was published on Instagram following Dons’ 2-1 defeat to Tranmere the previous day and was allegedly uploaded by a Rovers supporter.
Dons described the abuse in a statement as “totally disgusting and unacceptable”.
Tranmere also insisted they have a “zero tolerance of hate crime” and have referred the post to the police, vowing to impose bans if any of their fans are involved.
MK Dons said: “We are aware of a racist social media post which was directed at one of our players, Chuks Aneke.
“Needless to say, the club is appalled at the nature of this disgusting and unacceptable post. The individual responsible must be held to account and we will play our part in working towards that outcome.”