Messi gets supremo backing

President Sandro Rossell absolved Lionel Messi of any blame for Barcelona's Champions League exit after he missed a crucial penalty.

The Catalan giants were on course to go through to the final when they overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Chelsea thanks to goals from Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta, while the Londoners' captain John Terry was sent off in between.
However, Ramires pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time to level the aggregate score and put Chelsea in the driving seat on away goals.
Messi missed a penalty early in the second half and later hit the post before Fernando Torres came off the bench to wrap up victory late on for the visitors.
However, Rossell said: "I do not think Barca has been knocked out by Messi's penalty.
"After 180 minutes we had many occasions and they took three of theirs. That's what happened.
"The way we play is taught in la Masia and is not going to change.
"Football is a game. Sometimes you win and sometimes not. We win and lose.
"I think every time we've had a setback against this season it has been unfair, but opposing teams play well against us and we must accept it.
"Despite failing to qualify for the final and having had a bad week, the fans have been supporting us.
"I am very proud of them. I'm not happy with the result but I am proud."