Chris Smalling’s response after “Hitting” Lionel Messi’s Face

DBasia.news –  Chris Smalling, Manchester United defender, does not regret his violent offense against Lionel Messi, the Barcelona megastar. Messi’s face bloody after a dueling race for the ball with Smalling, who considered the violation as something normal happened.

Barcelona got one away goal from a 1-0 victory via Luke Shaw’s own goal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford on Thursday (11/4) early morning Western Indonesian Time. The Blaugrana dominated possession, but United played aggressively.

The aggressiveness of playing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side can be seen from three yellow cards and 16 violations they committed. One of the violations ‘damaged’ Messi’s face when Smalling tried to gore the ball.

Involved in dueling for the ball, Smalling won the race but his hand hit La Pulga’s face to bleed. The injury was not severe, but, Smalling’s hard game was criticized by many parties – especially from loyal fans   Messi.

Smalling is predicted to get whistles and scorn when playing at the Camp Nou in the second leg later, Wednesday (17/4) at 2:00 a.m. WIB. Moreover, the former Fulham player did not regret having hurt Messi’s face.

“I think that (the dueling for the ball against Messi) happened after we fought each other for the ball. We had to give intensity that was not used to them every week and there was still a lot to play in the second leg,” Smalling told   BT Sport.

“We pressed them high and that made them difficult. Unfortunately, we couldn’t score. I think we created some good opportunities.”

“We had a moment in the first half when we put pressure on them and then we looked tense, but in the second half, we were able to pressure them. The whole team, we neutralized them.”

“I think there is only one salvation done by David De Gea. We know that we have to give the intensity they are not accustomed to getting. The battle yesterday was good, my yellow card to Luis Suarez, I think from all my duel, it was the weakest.”

Man United need a 2-0 victory if they want to qualify for the 2018-19 Champions League semifinals. It’s not easy to do because Barca have a good record when playing at Camp Nou.