Barcelona took a giant step towards the UEFA champions league semifinal with the 3-1 demolition of Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc Du Princes In France.
Barcelona showed early attacking intent as they moved forward with a lot of desire and drive. Lionel Messi showed signs of things to come when his shot struck the post in the 13 minute. Barcelona didn’t have to wait long for the opening goals as Neymar found the back of the net with consummate ease in the 18th minute after he was played through by Lionel Messi who had received the ball from Busquests who had stolen the ball from Adrien Rabbiot in midfield. The news went from bad to worse for PSG who had to take off captain, Thiago Silva with an injury. Barcelona dominated the first half and were solid defensively even though PSG managed to create some half chances.
Barcelona begined the second half in their usual controlled pace and in the 67th minute, Suarez made it 2-0 as he moved in from the right of the field, dancing past David Luiz and Marquinhos before slotting the ball in past Sirigu. As Barcelona continued to control the game and PSG searched for a goal, Suarez again broke free, knocking the ball past Luiz again before finishing confidently into the top corner to make it 3-0 in the 79th minute. PSG struck a late equalizer Via Van Derr Wiel in the 82nd minute, his shot deflecting off Mathieu to beat Ter Stegen in the Barcelona goal.
Barcelona would go into the second leg in 6 days’ time with a two goal advantage, having scored three away goals and look like sure fire semifinalists.
Meanwhile, A host of errors by an injury stricken Bayern Munich team saw them fall to a 3-1 defeat at the Estadio Del Dragao at the hands of 2004 UEFA Champions league winners, Porto.
3 minutes into the game, Jackson Martinez robbed Xabi Alonso deep inside the Bayern half and was brought down by Manuel Neuer as he bore down on goal. Quaresma stepped up and converted the penalty to give Porto the lead. 7 minutes later, Dante was lackadaisical on the ball and was robbed by Quaresma who went on to produce a beautiful finish to make it 2-0. Bayern tried to get back into the game and in the 28th minute, Tiago Alcantara gave them a way back in the 28th minute with a close range finish. Bayern went into the break the better side and started the second half looking more composed and assured. It looked like Bayern were going to find an equalizer until Jerome Boateng misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Jackson Martinez to control the ball, round Neuer and finish into an empty net to secure the victory for Porto.
Bayern Munich were missing the influential and game changing presences of Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger and it was evident in their display. Bayern would welcome Porto to the Alianz arena two goals down but with an away goal and all to play for in 6 day
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