Joe Hart’s penalty save gives Manchester City hope of overturning Barcelona deficit
Manchester City were outplayed by Barcelona for most of their Champions League first leg tie on Tuesday but will still go to the Nou Camp hopeful of reaching the last eight for the first time thanks to Joe Hart.
The England goalkeeper, beaten twice by Uruguay striker Luis Suarez in a 2-1 defeat, dived to his right to block Argentine maestro Lionel Messi’s penalty with the last kick of the game.
We were calmer in the second half and hung on and pressured and did well to get something out of the game
Had it gone in, or Messi directed his header from the rebound between the posts, Barca would have left with a 3-1 advantage that would have virtually assured their progress.
They may have a few niggling doubts now, though, as such moments can prove pivotal – just as when Messi missed a penalty in a 3-2 semi-final defeat by Chelsea in 2012.
Asked if his save could be crucial, Hart, who also made crucial stops from Messi and Suarez, said: “I hope so. We’ll go there with a great group of fans, belief and we will have a right go.”
“The occasion did not get to us, sometimes things go against you. It is 2-1 and we go there with belief.”