Inspired Messi proved Guardiola was right, says Pique

The Barcelona defender revelled in his team-mate tearing Bayern Munich apart but says his side will still go to Germany with the intention of winning the second leg

Gerard Pique believes Pep Guardiola was proven right when he said Lionel Messi is unstoppable following the Barcelona No.10’s barnstorming performance against Bayern Munich Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, Messi’s fierce shot broke the deadlock in the Champions League semi-final first leg before a sublime run and chip doubled his side’s advantage.

Ahead of the clash at Camp Nou, Guardiola had claimed no defensive system could be put in place to stop his former pupil and Pique was delighted to see his old boss proven right.

“Guardiola was right, I knew an inspired Messi would be impossible to stop,” the former Manchester United centre-back told Canal Plus.

“We played a sensational match. Defensively we were strong and, though in the first half we struggled, we smashed them on the counterattack in the second half. We took advantage of our chances.

“We continued our habit this year of conceding few goals. At the Allianz Arena it will be tight, but let’s go there to win again. Barca only know how to win.”

Neymar scored the final goal of the first leg in stoppage time to leave Bayern’s hopes of the final in tatters and leave them with a massive task next Tuesday at the Allianz Arena.

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