The day that all Madridistas are dreading is edging ever closer, and thanks in no small part to Lionel Messi. Barcelona smashed four past helpless Stuttgart, as their defence of the Champions League trophy gathers steam. Even without midfield lynchpin Xavi Hernandez, who was ruled out late through injury, Barca were back to something like their best as they ran rings round the Germans. Lionel Messi, who else, set them on the road to victory after 13 minutes with the sort of goal that we have come so used to seeing from the pint-sized genius. Running at pace, Messi cut in from the right and with defenders backing off, sent a scorching left-foot shot past a despairing dive from Lehmann. The second arroved soon after as Barca sliced through Stuttgart to put Pedros goal on a plate, the youngster only required to tap in from close range. Stuttgart had no chance, and after the hour Messi confirmed Barcas passage into the last eight with a well-taken goal from outside the area, before substitute Bojan rounded things off with a confident finish after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had set him free. So with Lionel Messi running Wayne Rooney close on the freescoring stakes, and big teams dropping out of the Champions League like flies, there appears to be little blocking Barcas route to the Santiago Bernabeu. What are the chances they draw Lyon in the next round?
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