Tag: UCL

  • Griezmann saves Barca to earn first-leg draw at Napoli

    Griezmann saves Barca to earn first-leg draw at Napoli

    Barcelona grabbed an away goal as they came from behind to draw against Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Italy.

    Dries Mertens curled in from 18 yards in the first half to become Napoli’s joint top scorer of all-time, level with Marek Hamsik on 121 goals.

    But Barcelona equalised after 57 minutes when Antoine Griezmann scored from Nelson Semedo’s low cross.

    The visitors ended the game with 10 men as Arturo Vidal was sent off late on.

    In the 89th minute, he fouled Fabian Ruiz, but then, after the Napoli man reacted, Vidal pushed his head into the midfielder’s face and was shown two yellow cards in quick succession.

    The return match takes place at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, 18 March, although the Spanish La Liga leaders will also be without suspended midfielder Sergio Busquets as he picked up his third booking of this season’s tournament.

    It came early in the second half when, with a foot raised, he caught Mertens, who limped off and had to be replaced shortly afterwards.

    Barcelona had an injury worry of their own as centre-half Gerard Pique hobbled off in added time at the end of the match with an ankle injury.

    Napoli had chances to go into the second leg in Spain with the lead but visiting goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made two fine saves, denying Lorenzo Insigne and then Jose Callejon.

    “They didn’t hurt us, they tickled us,” said Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso. “It went wrong in one moment and they punished us.”

    Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne added: “We could have won, so we’re a bit disappointed. It was emotional to face players like [Lionel] Messi.”

  • Tuchel surprised by PSG players partying after Dortmund defeat

    Tuchel surprised by PSG players partying after Dortmund defeat

    Paris St-Germain (PSG) coach Thomas Tuchel said he was surprised to see a video of his players partying two days after they were beaten 2-1 at Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

    The loss was in their UEFA Champions League last 16 first leg fixture on Tuesday in Dortmund.

    Neymar and Kylian Mbappe were among those attending a late party to celebrate the birthdays of Mauro Icardi, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria.

    “I was really surprised yesterday (Friday) afternoon to see that video. Really surprised.

    “We talked about it internally and it has to stay within the club,”Tuchel told reporters on Saturday on the eve of their Ligue 1 home game against Girondins de Bordeaux.

    PSG lead the standings with 62 points from 25 games, 10 points ahead of second-placed Olympique de Marseille who host Nantes later on Saturday.

    The French champions host Borussia Dortmund in the return leg on March 11.

  • Watch: Man Utd’s De Gea wonder save against Young Boys

    Manchester United secured a late victory against Young Boys as Jose Mourinho’s men qualified for the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday.

    Before the final whistle, Manchester United shot-stopper De Gea had produced a wonder save to keep the Red Devils alive in the game.

    After 70 minutes of their crucial Champions League clash, it looked as though Young Boys had grabbed a shock lead over the Red Devils.

    But with a remarkable sprawling stop, De Gea somehow kept the ball out of the net when a goal looked certain.

    It was another exceptional game-changer from the gloveman, as he continues to prove United’s savior.

    Watch video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf9ECEIsiSo