Matuidi hands PSG late lifeline
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E-mail Xinhua, April 3, 2013
A late goal denied FC Barcelona what would have been a valuable win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final away to Paris Saint Germain.
Blaise Matudi's 94th minute shot flicked off Barca substitute Marc Bartra to leave keeper Victor Valdes helpless and gave the French side a fighting chance for next week's return leg, which they perhaps deserved after a fighting first half in which they had deserved more that to go in 1-0 down at the break.
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Paris St Germain's Blaise Matuidi hit a fine qualiser with the last kick of the game. |
Barca had one surprise in their starting 11 as Alexis Sanchez took his place in attack alongside David Villa and Leo Messi, while David Beckham showed what a fine professional he is as he was named in a Paris side which included former Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich.
If the first 35 minutes of the game been a boxing match, the referee may have been tempted to call it off so one sided had it been as the French side - highly motivated from the kick off, took the game to Barca leaving the Catalans looking groggy.
Had it not been for Valdes, who enjoyed a magnificent night in goal for Spain in Paris a week earlier, Barca could have been out for the count.
Valdes first denied Javier Pastore who hit a venomous low shot and then Ibrahimovich, who smashed a low free kick towards the bottom corner, to keep the French side at bay, as PSG looked to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the opening 35 minutes.
Barca looked slow against the French assault and Gerard Pique was booked for bringing down Ibrahimovich, who saw another shot flash by the Barca post while Ezequiel Lavezzi was a constant thorn in the Barca side.
But sometimes when you are on the ropes you find the strength for a sudden reply: All of Barca's attacks had been met with east by the PSG defense, led by the excellent Thiago Silva until the 38th minute when Dani Alves sent the ball in for Messi with the outside of his foot. Messi controlled and scored with a diagonal left foot shot to put Barca ahead.
He had another chance before the break, but fired just over the bar, before suffering what looked to be a hamstring injury which saw him replaced by Cesc Fabrigas for the start of the second half.
The second half began with Sergio Busquets seeing a low left foot shot well saved by PSG goalkeeper, Salvatore Sirigu, but chances were few and far between in the second half, although Barca were enjoying a great deal more possession despite the loss of Messi, given that Cesc showed the ability to drop into midfield and help keep the ball moving.
Xavi Hernandez saw a free kick deflected just over the bar with 16 minutes remaining, before at the other end Javier Mascherano saw a yellow card which means he is suspended for next week's return leg. With Carles Puyol out after a knee injury, that will be a major headache for Barca.
Valdes saved magnificently again from Ibrahimovich straight afterwards after a collision between Mascherano and Jordi Alves had left the pair groggy on the floor.
Barca had to defend the subsequent corner with just 9 men on the pitch but had both back when Ibrahimovich leveled after a free kick, although the striker was clearly offside and the goal should never been given.
Mascherano's injury saw him replaced by Marc Bartra almost directly afterwards and Barca looked destined to suffer until the 88th minute when Sirigu brought down Alexis and Xavi slotted home the penalty.
Barca looked sure to take a valuable win for the second leg, but in virtually the last kick off the game the home side equalized as Blaise Matudi's shot from outside of the area took a deflection off Bartra to leave Valdes helpless and see the game end in a 2-2 draw.
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