Ten goals last night (9/04) in London and Madrid, while tonight the “match” at the “Parc de Prince” highlighted Barcelona as a great winner with an upset… in the upset against Paris Saint-Germain (3-2), while in Madrid, Ale kept “alive” Dortmund’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals, “writing” the final 2-1 in favor of Atletico, who still have the “upper hand”.
Upheaval… Barca on the upheaval
Barcelona dominated the pitch in the first half, Paris were more determined at the start of the second, but in the end the Catalans came away with a huge victory (3-2), making them heavy favorites for the return leg next Tuesday (16/ 04) in Barcelona.
1-0 in the first 45 minutes against Paris Saint-Germain was small for Barca, compared to the chances they missed. Lewandowski’s header in the 19th minute (on the line was cleared by Mendes), Donnarumma’s save in Rafinha’s place in the 34th minute, Cancelo’s wrong reaction in the 42nd minute, which instead of giving to the all-alone Lewandowski, he preferred to execute himself and to miss, Yamal’s put-out just before the expiration of the 45th minute were the moments when the Catalans could have scored a second time during the first half.
Xavi’s side took the lead in the 37th minute with Rafinha’s superb finish, after Donnarumma’s earlier save from Yamal’s cross to Lewandowski.
Paris was “absent” during this time. Luis Enrique’s team, apart from a suspected opportunity with Mendes, did not threaten Ter Stegen’s goal at all, Mbappe and Dembele did not find empty lanes and unfortunately the home team’s game became predictable.
Barkola’s entry in the second half and Dembele’s shift to the left changed the facts of the match. Within four minutes, the champions turned the match, initially with Dembele’s “shell” (48′) and in the 51′, the amazing finish of Vitinia after Barcola’s effort.
The celebrations of the Paris players did not last long, as in the 62nd Rafinha left behind the defense and in perfect style and before the ball fell to the ground “wrote” 2-2. The Parisians were lucky, as the ball was stopped twice by ter Stegen’s posts, after shots from Barkola and Dembele, however, in football it’s not who has the post, but who scores.
And Barca did this for the 3rd time in the game, in the 77th minute with Christensen’s header (his first goal this year) from Gintogan’s corner. 3-2 remained until the final and the “blaugrana” now have the “upper hand” to be in the top four!
Lead for Atletico
Atletico Madrid were “flying” in the “Metropolitano” in the first half, punished the defense… Dortmund’s playground, took a 2-0 lead, but in the final match Terzic’s replacement, Sebastian Alle, made the final 2-1.
A score that gives the Spaniards the first reason for qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions League, ahead of the rematch next Tuesday (16/04) at “Signal Induna Park”.
From Maandsen’s tragic mistake in the 5th minute and from the misunderstanding of Schloteberg and Hummels in the 32nd minute, De Paul and Lino had no problem scoring and putting the “Royal Blancos” in a “leading position” for qualification to the top four.
Mats Hummels’ 500th match in a Borussia shirt did not go as the experienced German defender would have hoped, seeing his side concede two goals to the hosts and make their task of continuing in the competition very difficult. .
This time, compared to the three goals he had conceded in the first half in four home matches of this year’s Champions League, Diego Simeone’s team did not risk at all in the first 45 minutes. They took full advantage of the Westphalian’s childish mistakes in defense, quickly took a very serious lead and, now, keep luck at their… feet.
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