Barca draws against PSG but collects two valuable away goals


It was always going to be a tough game especially when it’s the quarter finals of the Champions League and last night was no exception.

Barca played well against the French team and surprised them in the first period just before half time with a great finish from Leo Messi on 38 minutes.

Messi scores against PSG

Thiago Silva played out of his boots and had a fabulous game against the Catalan side. Even David Beckham got a look in and Ancelotti started him, bringing him off in the 70th minute. Ancelotti thought he played well and said he would start him again in next week’s decider.

PSG had some good chances within the first 10 minutes but didn’t capitalize on them – one thing you cannot do against Barca. If they had gone in maybe the game would have been different for the Catalan side but Victor Valdes kept them in it.

Lucas Moura ran Jordi Alba ragged up the wing and sent a clear signal to Barca that PSG meant business. PSG were never going to have the same ball possession as Barca and had to use their other abilities instead such as their arial ability and strong counter attacks.

Football is sometimes cruel and on this occasion Barca were on the wrong end. Ibrahimovic equalised in the 80th minute for PSG which looked like a clear offside before the French outfit’s keeper took down Alexis in the box. Xavi stepped up and fooled the keeper to make it 1-2.

Then on 94 minutes Matuidi blasted the ball at Valdés who fumbled it but couldn’t stop it going in to the net.  Matuidi won’t be playing next week after picking up a yellow card.

Messi picked up a hamstring injury according to the Barca medics and looks like he’s going to be out for at least 3 weeks. The Barcelona medics will provide an update today on his condition. The other injury is Mascherano who, according to Jordi Roura, will be out for anything between four and six weeks.

It has to be said and Barcelona were not the same after Messi left the pitch at half time. Perhaps Barca were found wanting and PSG smelled blood with a stream of counter attacks.

PSG’s Carlo Ancelotti had this to say about playing David Beckham as a starter and the match as a whole:

“I played Beckham there because of his ability to play forward passes and change the game.

“In the first 30 minutes he was the key as he was playing good football. Next week I want to play like we did in the first 30 minutes for the whole match. To play more attacking — this is our objective in the next leg.

“Personally I don’t think it was a good result. We conceded two goals — the first a gift to Messi, the second a gift from the referee.”

It was great to see Barca boss Tito Vilanova back on the bench after his absence and although it was a 2-2 draw, Barca still have the upper hand with two precious away goals which would count if PSG were to draw at the Nou Camp.

Barca don’t have it easy with both Messi and Mascherano out of action.

About Barca Blogger

My name's Steve aka Barca Blogger and one of the founding members of the team at Barcelonafcblog.com. I've been around since the blog started and we aim to bring you the most up to date information on this great club.

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  1. Información Bitacoras.com…

    Valora en Bitacoras.com: Barcelona drew last night in Paris against Paris Saint-Germain but collected two valuable away goals on the way. Messi rocked the French outfit just before half time to make it one nil and set the tone for the second half of …..