CL: Barca Held 2-2 by PSG; Bayern Thrashed Juventus 2-0

EFT Report, Paris: The first Champions League Quarter Final match lived up to its hype and expectation as FC Barcelona were held 2-2 by Paris Saint-Germain much to the delight of over 45,000 fans at Parc des Princes, Paris on April 3, 2013. The match dubbed the ‘Qatar Derby’ due to both clubs association with the Oil-rich organization had it all, from David Beckham playing Champions League football again in over three years, Messi scoring, penalty, Tito Vilanova returning and to top it all a Victor Valdes howler.

Matuida After Scoring the Late Equalizer (Barca 2 PSG 2)

As expected, the Catalan giants started the match with their tika-taka football with PSG sitting deep and counter-attacking whenever they get the ball. Messi put Barcelona in front in the 38th minute with a glorious strike from the left side of the box after a equally glorious pass from Dani Alves, this is the Argentine eight Champions League goals of the season and his 59 Champions League goals overall. Barca went into the break with a 1-0 lead but Barca fans were saddened to see Lionel Messi taken-off during half-time with a suspected hamstring injury, former Arsenal FC man Cesc Fabregas was his replacement. With-out Messi, the dynamo of the match changed and soon PSG restored parity through Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 79th minute from a rebound (though on second view the Hit-Man scored after coming back from an offside-position). PSG keeper Sirigu gave Barcelona the advantage again in the 90th minute after bringing down Alexis Sanchez inside the area for a penalty. Xavi stepped up and coolly slotted home 2-1 to Barcelona going into the extra added time. But there was to be another twist as PSG mounted one last attack, the ball broke to young French midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who is suspended for the second leg after picking up a yellow card, on the edge of the penalty area, his shot was deflected just enough to go past Valdes at his near post (well you expect the experienced Valdes to do much better then that…). That goal was the last kick of the match. It ended 2-2 in the night at Parc des Princes.

In another Champions League match played at Allianz-Arena, Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich put up a commanding performance to beat Juventus 2-0. David Alaba and Thomas Muller scored for the German giants. Both the second leg matches will be played on April 10, nothing has been decided yet…!!