Barca chief Rosell refuses to blame Messi for exit

Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has refused to blame Lionel Messi for their Champions League exit, instead expressing his pride at the Catalans’ performance against Chelsea.

Messi missed a penalty and hit the post as Barca pressed in the second half, but Rosell does not blame the diminutive attacker for their exit.

“I do not think Barca has been knocked out by Messi’s penalty,” he said. “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.