Man City 0-2 Barcelona: Messi and Alves hand Catalans first-leg advantage after Demichelis is sent off for controversial foul

It is fair to say that Martin Demichelis did not exactly answer his critics on Tuesday night. Nor did he silence the doubters, or confound those who doubted his inclusion in the biggest match of Manchester City’s season.
No, Demichelis eschewed the usual cliches of sporting redemption and played it straight. He gave away the penalty that cost his team the game, and was sent off.
The best that can be said is that this allowed a large number of people to feel good about their understanding of the game.
Picking Demichelis was not a populist decision by Manuel Pellegrini. Many had not forgotten his performance against Chelsea earlier this month — although he was left badly isolated by his team-mates on that occasion — and feared the worst if he was left one on one with Lionel Messi.
In the 54th minute that is what happened, with depressingly predictable results. Demichelis played against Messi for Pellegrini’s old club Malaga last season, too, with uninspiring results. City’s manager clearly sees something in his man, but it is not readily apparent to all.

The opener: Messi wheels away in celebration of the first goal as Joe Hart vents his frustration

Fine lines: The argument as to whether the contact was inside or outside the area will run for days

No more criticism: The goal was Messi's first goal at a Premier League ground