A relatively balanced & close to the wire encounter for Spanish Football Club FC Barcelona who experienced around 20 minutes virtually eliminated from Champions League. As with last nights games with other Spanish Soccer Clubs, Real Madrid & Malaga FC, this part of the tournament is tough business & suffering is the natural path that all teams must follow to get to the Final.
Barcelona started without their star Messi on the bench & still carrying the injury received in Paris. The Argentine was however in place if needed & was indeed called into duty later on when things got complicated in the 2º half after the PSG goal.
Barcelona started the match strong with their usual possession Football & upfront pressuring. PSG held their ground while waiting for a Barça slip which allowed the counter-attack. Tonight PSG also used the long ball tactic with Ibrahimovic as the reference. Both teams had their chances to score but the French defence stay firm & solid & Barça goalie Victor Valdes made some game savers.
The surprise came in the 51st min when Ibrahimovic used his body to protect the arrived ball & passed onto Pastore who beat Valdes for the opening goal. At this stage Barça was eliminated & rapidly called on Lionel Messi who came on to attempt to save the match. The Argentine did this with his participation & back heel that found Pedro in the goal area in the 71st min to score the equalizer & put Barça back in the match & Champions League. Now PSG was virtually eliminated & they attempted everything to get the second goal which never came in the end. Barça was through, just through. A close call which will leave PSG disappointed as they to deserved more for their efforts.
This Friday UEFA will celebrate the semi-finals draw with two German teams & two Spanish Football Teams: Bayern Munich, B.Dortmund, Real Madrid CF & FC Barcelona.
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