Sergio Aguero revealed Manchester City’s victory over Barcelona left Lionel Messi in such a black mood that his close friend did not want to talk to him.
The two forwards are roommates as well as teammates for Argentina, to the extent that the City striker said Barcelona’s record scorer is “like a brother” to him.
But they were left with contrasting emotions at the Etihad Stadium as Aguero helped City record their first ever win over Barcelona.
And Messi, despite scoring his sixth goal in four games, was annoyed, according to Aguero: “When one loses you have to respect them. Leo wasn’t in the mood to talk and I respect that. Whenever you lose you’re not very happy.”
More from the Uefa Champions League:
• Pep Guardiola: Manchester City 'still need time to compete with the best' + match highlights
• Results: Manchester City beat Barcelona in thriller; Ozil magic sends Arsenal into last-16
• Gallery: Gundogan double and De Bruyne stunner secure Man City a famous win over Barcelona
Aguero suffered disappointment of a different kind himself in their previous meeting two weeks ago, when he was left on the bench for the first 79 minutes of City’s 4-0 defeat in the Camp Nou.
But he has denied he was angered by manager Pep Guardiola’s decision to drop him.
“I’m never angry. I respect every manager’s decision. He said it was a tactical thing and I obviously respect that,” Aguero said. “When I went on the pitch I tried to give my best and then train hard to be ready for the next game. But no one was in a bad mood.”
While Aguero could not score, he played a part in City’s final goal in a 3-1 win when Jesus Navas’ cross struck him and bounced to Ilkay Gundogan to finish.
Replays suggested the ball came off Aguero’s arm but he said his role in the controversial goal was accidental.
“My hand was by my body, I tried to hit it with the chest. [Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre] Ter Stegen gets a touch and it confuses me. The hand was by my body and it hit my arm, but there was no intention. If you watch the video my hand is by my body, it went past me and Gundogan got it. They will always complain about that, obviously but luckily we were 2-1 up already and that goal calmed us.”
Aguero felt the key to City’s victory lay in their pressing game.
“We pressed the ball when Neymar and Leo, the most dangerous players, [had it] and then we tried to press in the centre so they don’t do what they usually do with a slight touch and Leo sending the ball to the second post,” he said. “I don’t know if they were playing bad in the second half but we were good, and that’s the main point.”
Kevin de Bruyne, who scored City’s second goal, said he felt he spotted goalkeeper Ter Stegen out of position when he took a free kick.
“I thought the keeper was standing a little bit too much in the middle,” the Belgian said. “I knew if I could get it up in the corner and he made a step it would be very difficult to come back. Obviously it was a very good moment to score.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport