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Hart has Man City optimism after denying Barcelona's Messi

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart believes he and his teammates have plenty of hope going into the Champions League Round of 16 second leg.

The England international saved an injury-time penalty from superstar Lionel Messi in the 2-1 first leg loss to Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night which kept the English Premier League champions in the two-legged tie.

Hart guessed the right way to deny Messi from the spot prior to the Argentine ace missing an open goal with a rebound header and the City gloveman insists there is now 'loads of belief' ahead of the return bout at the Camp Nou on March 18.

"I hope it proves to be important, just as important as the open goal that was missed straight after it!" he told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I can't decorate the save, it was not that good, but these little things can hopefully turn tides."

After Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back for City, following Luis Saurez's first-half brace, Hart added: "Loads of belief.

"First half, up until the first goal, we were in the game, but Barcelona took their goals well.

"Other than that, we stayed in the game, and I have not been overly busy all night.

"It was a great goal from Sergio and we had other chances. We go home with a chance."

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