Strange game at times with favourable swings to both sides & moments of frustrating balance. The French had important players out like Motta, Veratti & Ibrahimovic, but were again badly hit tonight when Captain Thiago Silva had to leave in the 20th min due to injury. His replacement David Luiz lasted what he physically could & in the second half was "danced" around in the Barça goal occasions. It was clear the Brazilian defender was not 100 % recovered from his injury.
FC Barcelona went ahead first when Neymar scored in the 19th min. It seemed Barça would run away but PSG managed to put its Football together to created clear opportunities. The French had chances to equalize but both Pastore & Cavani were imprecise & off target. Opportunities that the French would pay for dearly later in the match.
Paris St Germain started the second half well with Barça looking somewhat tired & "offbeat". Again PSG failed to consolidate their dominance & in a brilliant 67th min play by Luis Suarez - nutmeg included on Luiz - the Uruguayan scored the second for Barça. A moral punch in the PSG face which gave wings to the Spanish team.
However, PSG persisted & Cavani nearly responded with a power driver that Barça goalie Ter Stegen stopped through pure reflex. The third came in the 79th min when Luis Suarez again "danced" David Luiz & fired home into the right top corner.
It looked like a "song & dance" session was to end the match in favour of Barça, but PSG defender Van Der Weil let loose a shot that deflected off Barça defender Mathieu to score the French teams only goal in the 83rd min. A goal that manages to allow a small glimpse of some hope for the return leg match in "Camp Nou" next week.
To conclude, Barça goes away in the drivers seat with a huge advantage, while PSG was unlucky with injuries & missed chances they failed to convert. Said this, the end result is just & Barça deserve to go away with the win.
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