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29 March 2024

Champions League QF second leg: Messi inspires Barca into semis

Published
By Staff with Agencies

Lionel Messi came off the bench to save Barcelona with a spirited fight as the four-time winners reached the Champions League semi-finals on away goals.

FINAL SCORE

Barcelona 1     PSG  1
Pedro 71'       Pastore  50'

Barcelona Yellow
Adriano Correia

PSG Yellow

Thiago Silva
Verratti
Lavezzi

Ball Possesion
Barcelona 63%           PSG 37%

Shots on Target

Barcelona 10                PSG  9

Shots off Target

Barcelona  12               PSG  5

Match Summary

Barcelona stormed into the semi finals on away goals drawing 1-1 against French giants PSG in their Champions League quarter-final second leg match played at  Camp Nou on Wednesday.

For the sixth successive season, Barcelona have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. Over both legs of this tie, they were pushed to their limits by a spirited PSG team.

Barcelona headed into this match with a degree of confidence.

They did not lose at home since 2009 in the Champions League, a run which spans 20 games including 16 wins.

They also have a very impressive record against French opposition at the Camp Nou, having won five, with one draw and one loss.

However, PSG have won three of their four away games in Europe's elite club competition this year, and they have also never lost a two-legged tie to Spanish opponents before.

The first half of Wednesday's match looked like a continuation of the first leg,  with attacking play from both sides but no clear shots on goal.

PSG stormed into the lead in the second half with Javier Pastore firing the first salvo with with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and firing a shot past Victor Valdes.

Even without their talisman Barca came within inches of the perfect start when Cesc Fabregas was brought down 25 yards from goal a minute in and Xavi's resultant free-kick scraped the post on its way past.

Thereafter though the first-period belonged to the visitors who capitalised on Barca's uncharacteristic slackness in possession to take a stranglehold of the game.

Ezequiel Lavezzi was first to test Victor Valdes in what was to be a busy 45 minutes for the Barca 'keeper with a shot straight down his throat and Gerard Pique had to show good pace and strength to prevent Lavezzi a clear run on goal moments later.

Andres Iniesta saw an audacious effort from 45 yards sail just over with Salvatore Sirigu off his line as the game roared from end to end in the early stages.

However, as the half wore on PSG posed the greater threat with Lucas Moura's pace in particular causing problems for a makeshift Barca defence.

The Brazilian saw a fierce strike from outside the area well handled by Valdes, before he and Lavezzi both wastefully shot over when well-positioned.

Lavezzi then had the biggest chance of the first-half as he latched onto Zlatan Ibrahimovic's through ball, but his prodded effort lacked the power to beat Valdes who comfortably blocked with his feet.

Ibrahimovic was the provider again as Lucas saw a headed effort at the back post turned over by Valdes as the pressure from the French league leaders continued.

The hosts did manage to wrestle some control of the game back in the final 15 minutes of the half as David Villa curled over from a rare opening inside the area, but Barca were lucky to head into half-time with 11 men when Adriano's rash lunge on Lucas produced only a yellow card from referee Bjorn Kuipers.

The goal that PSG had been threatening all night finally arrived five minutes after the break as an excellent one-two between Pastore and Ibrahimovic sent the Argentine in behind the Barca defence and this time there was nothing Valdes could do to keep out his left-footed finish.

Pastore missed a great chance to register his second of the evening eight minutes later from another lightning PSG break, but this time he scuffed wide from 12 yards.

Alves then had Barca's best chance up to that point of the evening as he blasted over when unmarked at the back post before Messi replaced Fabregas to a huge ovation.

Messi's arrival instantly forced Barca onto the front foot and, after Pique had a shot blocked, Iniesta forced Sirigu into his first serious save with Messi unable to control the rebound.

Pastore dragged another shot wide at the other end as PSG maintained a threat on the break, but the Parisians were made to rue their wastefulness in front of goal as Barca equalised on 71 minutes.

As the game progressed in the Barcelona looked desperate to get the better of their French rivals. Quick substitutions by both teams witnessed Beckham and Messi once again take to the field in the crucial game.

Messi seemed to spring back the morale of Barca despite not looking fit but he played a big part in the equaliser.

The prolific scorer Messi played the ball through to David Villa, who knocked it back into the path of Pedro who drilled home the equaliser.

Barcelona looked pleased to progress after a difficult couple of games, whilst PSG can definitely hold their heads high playing against a fine team like Barcelona.

And despite a nervy final 15 minutes for the hosts, PSG couldn't create another clear opening as Barca join Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in Friday's semifinal draw.

FULL TIME

90" Beckham attempts to move the ball around with Ibrahimovic and Moura up ahead in the field. But Barcelona read well to stub away the attack. Full time as the referee ends the match.

88" Beckham has not really got on top of his game till now. Stars of both teams attempt to impact as the clocks races towards full time.

87" Barcelona push with Alba and Messi looking in top form.

78" Thiago Silva and Verratti mark the danger man Messi. Ezequiel Lavezzi moves to engage Alba. Misses the ball and causes pain to Alba squarely on the feet.
Lavezzi will miss the next game if PSG progress.

75" Barcelona without Messi  lack finishing. Barcelona now are back in control, and it isn't a surprise that they have been galvanised by the introduction of Messi.

71" GOAL! Messi sets up Villa in front of the net who back heels a pass to the unmarked Pedro who drills in the ball to restore parity pushing the match to another level.

68" PSG look to strike on the counter with the Spanish team not making a serious changes in their gameplan. Ibrahimovic and Motta are threatening to upset things for Barcelona tonight but it's early for any predictions.

64" With Messi in the midfield the game takes a different look with Barcelona taking a aggresive stand. Sirigu is truely tested under the crossbar today with Fabregas earlier on and now Messi scripting dangerous moves.

61" Messi comes in for Fabregas, a defining role for the prolific striker. Barcelona will have to clearly inspect their failures in today's match.

58" Adriano brought down with a dangerous tackle but game goes on with both teams pushing to get a goal.

57" Barcelona look rattled, and PSG are now in control. The away side will want another goal to really settle this tie.

50" GOAL! Javier Pastore makes solo dash into the rivals zone taking a first time shot beating Valdes to the right to send the ball curling ninto the left of the net.

HALF TIME

45" Fabregas sets up a corner with Inesta getting on top of the ball, but fails to place it before xavi positioned in front of the net. At half time both teams fail to break the deadlock.

43" Adriano gets a yellow for a ugly tackle on Lucas Moura.

40" Fabregas in desperation takes a ambitious shot on the edge with the ball curling wide off the mark.

38" Barcelona steps up the attack as the clock races towards the half time mark. But PSG are determined not to drop guard with three defenders blocking Barca threats.

34" Villa makes a dash from the left flank with Jallet challenging him in the box, a flighted shot prompts Salvatore to leap high with the ball moving harmlessly across the face of the net.

32" PSG move the ball around with deep assists from Alex and Silva eventually earning a corner but fail to covert the high ball.

28" Valdes punches out a Lucas Moura header to deny PSG a lead. Yet again a Ibrahimovic assist misses to find its mark.

26" Maxwell brought down with a ugly tackle but the referee Bjorn Kuipers signals to play on.

24" Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore on the counter strike with Gerad Pique and Pedro on the chase.

20" Lucas and Ibrahimovic combine well to torment Barcelone defence but Barcelona strike immediately on the counter with Dani Alves and Alba darting with ball to the rival zone. Alves attempts to sqeeze in the ball from the left flank with the ball finding the outer edge of the net.

17" PSG on the strike with Lucas Moura missing the mark of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's assist at the edge of the box.

16" Freekick for Barcelona but well shot away to the midfield by Thiago Motta.

13" Lucas Moura takes a ambitious shot in front of the nets with Vicxtor Valdes immediately positioning himself in front to block the threat.

11" Inesta once again takes a flighted shot at the edge of the box with Salvatore Sirigu scurring to the left,but the balls misses narrowly going over the  crossbar.

9" Barcelona's Inesta misses a cross but  quickly takes control of the ball in the midfield.

6" Barcelona on the offensive with Xavi, Frabegas leading the attack , a slight tap to Inesta but fails to latch on to the ball in the danger zone

Both Messi and Beckham will start on the bench.

There are reports of clashes between fans at Barcelona-PSG with at least one flare thrown at PSG supporters, and other burning nearby, according to BBC World Service. (@BBCSport)

BBC Sport confirms: "Lionel Messi not fit to start for Barcelona tonight, while David Beckham is also only on the bench for PSG."

Gary Lineker has tweeted: "Both Messi and Beckham start on the bench. There'll be more shots of the dug-outs than the pitch tonight." (@GaryLineker)

The distressing news for Barcelona is Lionel Messi has never come on as a substitute in a Champions league knockout match.

STARTING XI

Barcelona: Valdés, Alves, Piqué, Fàbregas, Xavi, Villa, Iniesta, Sergio, Pedro, Jordi Alba and Adriano.

Substitutes - Pinto, Bartra, Montoya, Thiago Alcantara, Song, Alexis, Messi

PSG: Sirigu, Thiago Silva, Alex, Maxwell, Jallet, Verratti, Pastore, Thiago Motta, Lucas, Lavezzi, Ibrahimović

Substitutes - Douchez, Sakho, Armand, Van der Wiel, Chantome Beckham Gameiro

The Barcelona players are on their way to the Camp Nou with kick off just under two hours.

The 64 million-dollar question ahead Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final second leg clash is whether mega stars Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and David Beckham (Paris Saint-Germain) will start for their respective clubs.

Messi is a doubt for the game with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss the second-half of the first leg, which finished 2-2 at the Parc des Princes last Tuesday.

In a surprise move former England star David Beckham started the Champions League match for his newly adopted club, a decision which has been criticised widely in the French press.

STAT ATTACK

PSG have scored more goals whereas Barca have had more attempts on the target during this tournament.

The French club have scored 19 as against 17 buy Barca who have made 81 attempts to 67 in comparison.

Barcelona's record against French sides at the Camp Nou is W5 D1 L1.

PSG have a record of W4 L3 of 8 away games v Liga opposition.

They have a 100 per cent record in 5 two-legged ties with teams from Spain.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Barcelona  4-3-3

PSG    4-2-2-2

MATCH FACTS

PSG have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).

PSG are undefeated in their last 7 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).     

TEAM NEWS
Barcelona

Barcelona are all but certain to be without their main man Lionel Messi for the visit of PSG here.

The World Player of the Year was forced off at half time at the Parc des Princes with a hamstring injury and is unlikely to make it back in time to play.

Cesc Fabregas proved a decent replacement at the weekend though, as he played in the false 9 role with aplomb, netting a hat-trick and an assist in the 5-0 thrashing of Mallorca.

With Puyol still injured and Mascherano suspended, 22 year old Marc Bartra may be needed at centre-back, though the Spanish press are reporting that Adriano could be rushed back to play alongside Pique at the back.

There seems to be a lack of trust in young Bartra, and if Adriano doesn't make it back in time, Busquets may be preferred at the back, with Song in midfield.

Pedro and Alexis go head-to-head for a wide forward berth, but Sanchez might have done enough this weekend to secure his spot.

Paris Saint Germain

Thiago Motta is on the road to recovery, but still lacking match fitness, this is unlikely to be the game in which he makes his return.

David Beckham could return to central midfield in place of the suspended Blaise Matuidi after the veteran Englishman came off the bench at half time at Rennes with the game 0-0 before his side scored twice and went on to win 2-0.

Thiago Silva is carrying a knock and is doubtful but will likely be risked given his importance to the side.

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that his side's tactics will not be affected by whether Messi is fit to start for the hosts.

And with PSG needing to score to have any chance of progressing, Ancelotti insisted the Argentine's inclusion was not a determinative factor in how we will prepare his game-plan.

"It will not affect our play if Messi plays or not. We will play our own game," he said at Tuesday's eve-of-game press conference.

"We are going to have to use our qualities, be solid at the back, have patience and attack well."

The French league leaders have injury problems of their own with Thiago Silva and Thiago Motta set to undergo late fitness tests, whilst Blaise Matuidi, who scored the Parisians' second goal last week, is suspended.

"With respect to Thiago Silva we need to wait and see the final training session. If there are guarantees he is fit, he will play," added Ancelotti.

"The decision on whether Motta will play will be taken at the last minute. The season doesn't finish tomorrow and there are more games to consider."

However, Ancelotti insisted that criticism over Beckham's performance in the first leg would not influence his decision over whether to once again start the 37-year-old former Real Madrid man at the Camp Nou.

"Some criticised him and some were happy with him. It doesn't matter because I was happy with Beckham and thought he played a good game."

The visitors will at least have a number of players in familiar surroundings on Wednesday night as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Motta and Maxwell all return to face their former club, and the latter was more open about his feelings on how much difference Messi's absence would make.

"Barcelona have a great squad but there is nobody that can substitute his level," said the Brazilian.

"I am not happy if anyone is injured, but it is a fact that Messi is a player that cannot be replaced."

However, Xavi Hernandez believes that Barcelona were still favourites despite a number of key injuries in defence.

The biggest blow for Barca was the injuries suffered by Messi and Javier Mascherano.

Four-time world player of the year Messi still has a chance of returning for Wednesday's clash at the Camp Nou but Mascherano's knee injury will see him miss the majority of what remains of the season.

But Xavi said that two away goals and home advantage should still be enough to see Barca into their sixth consecutive Champions League semifinal.

"We have 90 minutes left at home and we will play in front of our fans, who showed the top level of devotion in the game against Milan," he was quoted as saying in an interview on uefa.com published on Monday.

"The shame has been the injuries, Mascherano's just as much as Leo's. We are going to see how Leo is, Mascherano it seems will miss four to six weeks and they are important absences. But we have a good result, we are favourites, playing at home and there are 90 minutes to play."

The tie promises to be another special night at the Camp Nou after Barca produced a stunning comeback to reverse a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat AC Milan 4-2 on aggregate in the last round.