Ferguson: Stopping Messi practically impossible

By Gregg Davies
published

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Chelsea - if they didn't need any more pointers - that they face an almost-impossible task in attempting to negate the threat of Lionel Messi in the Champions League semi-finals.

Guus Hiddink's side travel to the Nou Camp on Tuesday night for their first-leg encounter with Pep Guardiola'a la Liga high-fliers without suspended left-back Ashley Cole, meaning right-sided defender Jose Bosingwa will be tasked with trying to stop 'The Flea' in his tracks.

However, Ferguson - whose United side will face the winners of the tie in the final should they emerge victorious from their last four clash with Arsenal - believes achieving it for the entire 90-minutes is practically impossible if the diminutive Argentine is on form.

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Gregg Davies
Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.