Quarter-final curse looms as Barca and Messi look to set record straight

Four years have passed since Lionel Messi last reached a Champions League semi-final and his drought has become a source of unease for Barcelona ahead of their latest attempt on Tuesday.

Manchester United are the ones looking to emulate Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Roma by sending Barca out in the quarters for a fourth year running but for the Catalans, another failure would be unforgivable, not least because of the implications for their captain.

"Last season we did the double but we all felt bad about how it went in the Champions League," Messi said in August.

"We promise this season we will do all we can to bring that beautiful cup back to Camp Nou."
"Obviously it's infuriating," Luis Suarez said. "Madrid have made history and it's a thorn in our side."
- Rome pain still raw -
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"It is an important trophy," Suarez said after following up the league title by winning the Copa del Rey last season. "But this does not hide what happened in Rome."