In case you missed it, here are the highlights from Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League action.
The results
Match highlights: Barcelona 1, Paris Saint-Germain 1 | Juventus 0, Bayern Munich 2
The day’s main talking points
1. Add another amazing chapter to the life story of Lionel Messi, who did his best Superman impression on Wednesday. With his team down a goal to PSG and on the brink of elimination, a not-entirely-fit Argentine came up with a moment of magic in setting up Pedro’s equalizer, allowing Barcelona to reach the Champions League semifinals for the sixth consecutive time. Questionable for this match after picking up a hamstring injury in last week’s 2-2 draw in Paris, he started on the bench but was immediately up and running on the touchline after Javier Pastore gave PSG a deserved 1-0 lead early in the second half. It was clear the Argentine wasn’t fully fit after taking his first steps onto the pitch, but it took him only nine minutes to exert his influence, taking on the PSG defence and laying off a perfect pass for David Silva in the buildup to Pedro’s goal. Honestly, is there anything Messi can’t do on a football pitch?
2. How good is Bayern Munich? So good that they marched into Turin, where Juventus rarely losses, and limited the bianconeri to only a few half chances. The Bavarians essentially killed off the game with a professional performance highlighted by strategically pressing the Italians inside their end of the field, and dictating the pace of the game with their deliberate possession, forcing Juventus to chase the ball for long stretches. In between, Bayern pressed forward with aplomb, with Arjen Robben, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic putting pressure on the Juventus defence. While Basstian Schweinsteiger didn’t offer a lot in attack like he normally does, he was a defensive dynamo, routinely teaming up with David Alaba to break up Juventus’ attacks. Bayern’s "match management" in Turin was unparalleled, and it’s what makes them the favourite, ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid, to win this year’s Champions League.
3. PSG is a wonderful team and can take solace in the fact that it came just one goal short of eliminating the best team on the planet from the Champions League and advancing to the semifinals. The French club put down a marker in this year’s competition. By winning a difficult group, eliminating Valencia and pushing Barcelona so close, the Parisians delivered a message that they are serious contenders and will be a force in Europe for years to come. In Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, still only 20, PSG has one of the brightest prospects in the game, and he’s surrounded by players the class and calibre of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Javier Pastore, and Ezequiel Lavezzi. PSG is going to be a top team in Europe for years to come – the European football establishment has been warned.
4. Speaking of better days ahead, that’s exactly what’s in store for Juventus. The Italians did well to reach the quarter-finals, but the final four was just beyond them. There’s no shame in losing to a team the calibre of Bayern Munich. While the bianconeri put forth a valiant over the two legs, it was clear that they were just a notch below the Bavarians, who oozed class and boasted depth at every position. Juventus isn’t far off, though. A solid core is in place in both midfield (Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal) and one of the top defensive units in Europe (anchored by Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini). What the Italians need is more firepower and quality up front, and it’ll be interesting to see how this team does next season with the summer arrival of Fernando Llorente on a free transfer. If the Spanish striker can duplicate the form he displayed at Athletic Bilbao in Turn, then Juventus could break through and once again become one of Europe’s elite teams.
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Six pack of facts
No French club has ever won at the Camp Nou in the Champions League (two draws and four losses).
Barcelona is unbeaten in their last 21 Champions League games at Camp Nou (16 wins and five draws).
All 20 of PSG’s goals in the Champions League this season have been scored from inside the penalty area, more than any other team in the competition.
None of Juventus’ eight home games against German clubs in the Champions League have ended in a draw (four wins and four losses). Wednesday marked the first time the Italian side has failed to score in any of those games.
Juventus has only lost three of their 18 home Champions League games in the knockout stages (with 10 wins and five draws).
Bayern Munich defeated Juventus 4-1 in Turin in December 2009 – this was Juventus last home loss in the Champions League.
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Goal of the day
Javier Patore’s goal early in the second half was pretty, but Pedro’s leveler for Barcelona in the 71st minute was better. Lionel Messi skipped past his marker before slipping a pass to David Villa, who did well to retain possession while under pressure from Alex and Christophe Jallet. Villa was then able to flick the ball to Pedro, who slotted it home with an emphatic finish.
Save of the day
Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neur made excellent stops in the first half, but Victor Valdes came up big in the 28th minute for Barcelona. PSG’s Marco Verratti fed a neat pass to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who reached the byline before lofting a cross into the middle of the penalty area. Lucas latched onto it with a powerful header, but Valdes was equal to the task.
Sportsnet’s play of the day
There could only be one choice:
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Tweet of the day
Zlatan Ibrahimovic did well to set up Javier Pastore’s goal for PSG, leading Paolo Bandini of The Guardian to comment:
Ibra to Pastore. A goal made in Serie A (then sold to the highest bidder).
— Paolo Bandini (@Paolo_Bandini) April 10, 2013
Burning questions
Just how badly was Lionel Messi’s hamstring ailing him in the build-up to this match?
How big of a loss is Mario Mandzukic (suspended for yellow card accumulation) for Bayern Munich in the first leg of the semifinals?
Was this the last time we’ll see David Beckham play in the Champions league?
Who does Bayern Munich match up against the best in the semiinals: Barcelona, Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund?
3 stars
1) Lionel Messi: Nine minutes after coming into the game as a substitute, the mercurial Argentine crafted Barcelona’s goal with a moment of inspiration and great individual skill.
2) Arjen Robben: Yes, he ballooned a lot of shots over the crossbar. But he also worked himself in dangerous positions and gave Juventus’ defence plenty to worry about.
3) David Alaba: Juventus did not create a lot in the attacking third, but when they did venture forward, Alaba often intervened with a timely tackle or interception.
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