BARCA STILL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FAVOURITES
Lionel Messi staged another masterclass to power holders Barcelona into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after they beat Stuttgart 4-0 at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night for a 5-1 aggregate triumph.
Messi struck a brilliant opener after just 12 minutes to put Barca on track, and then played a key role as Pedro Rodriguez made it 2-0 soon after as the Catalan giants built a 3-1 aggregate lead.
BARCELONA are now 15/8 favourites for the Champions League with William Hill who also offer 7/2 Man U; 4/1 Inter; 6/1 Arsenal; 10 Bayern M; 14 Lyon; 16 Bordeaux; 33 CSKA.
Carlo Ancelotti admits he will come under pressure at Stamford Bridge after his Chelsea side were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.
The Champions League trophy was Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s priority this season after having lost out on the final in Moscow to Manchester United in 2008.
But Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat by Inter, which ensured a 3-1 aggregate loss, put paid to the dream for another season.
