Champions league, quarter-finals

Inter Milan 1 - Valencia 0

Valencia lost their first leg match with Héctor Cúper's Inter Milan by a single goal, and now have to score twice at least in the Mestalla stadium in two weeks' time to reach the quarter finals. Rafa Benítez's side put up a credible fight, but were not able to get through against a solid defence which was modelled on Cúper's defensive style. The ex Valencia manager did line up with Crespo and Vieri in attack though, and the move paid off with a quarter of an hour on the clock when Crespo flicked on Emre's cross for Vieri to head down past Cañizares. Albelda tested Toldo with a long shot before the break, but otherwise the keeper had little work and Inter went in at half time with the advantage. A quarter of an hour in to the second half both sides were left with ten men after Emre and Albelda were sent off after clashing off the ball, referee Markus Merk harsh on both but particularly on the spaiard who did not appear to have done much wrong. Valencia tried their best after that as Inter pulled in their horns, but although Rufete shot just wide and Aimar forced a point blank save out of Toldo this was not their day. (09.04.03)

Juventus 1 - Barcelona 1

What a difference a goal makes. Almost at the same time that Valencia went behind, so did Barcelona at Juventus. However twelve minutes before the end an equalising goal from Saviola gave the Spanish side the upper hand for the return leg. Montero put the Italians in front in the sixteenth minute, driving a shot into the roof of the net from close range after Bonano had beaten out an overhead kick from Del Piero. Riquelme had a chance to level the scores before the break but dallied too long on the ball, and Xavi could not get enough force behind his shot after Overmars set him up after the restart. In the absence of the injured Trezeguet, Lippi had packed his side with defenders to prevent the away goal, but they were still dangerous on the attack and his sole forward Del Piero shot just wide after Gabri had blocked a Davids shot on the line. But then Kluivert put Reiziger away down the left wing, and the Dutch full back passed in for Saviola to force the ball in to the net off a defender. Di Vaio came on for the last few minutes and sent a shot whistling past the post in injury time. But Barça kept up their unbeaten record in the competition, and that repeat of last year's semi-final between them and Real Madrid is now a strong possibility. (09.04.03)

Real Madrid 3 - Manchester Utd 1

The match between Real Madrid and Manchester United lived up to it's star billing, with the Spanish side running out 3-1 winners in an action packed ninety minutes. Figo started things off with the first goal in the twelfth minute, catching Barthez off guard with a curling shot from out on the left wing. The English side were lucky to be let off a penalty appeal soon afterwards when Brown brought down Ronaldo, and referee Anders Frisk also failed to penalize Barthez when he handled the ball outside of the area. United had their chances though as well, the best of which was a long shot from Scholes which Casillas kept out, but with half an hour on the clock Zidane found Raúl for him to turn his marker and score. Four minutes after the restart Raúl was there again to pick up a pass from Figo and make it three, and a big score appeared to be on the cards. However three minutes later Gary Neville swung in a cross from the right, and although Casillas got a hand to Giggs' shot, Van Nistelrooy was there to head in to the empty net. For a few minutes the visitors looked like scoring again, with Beckham and Gary Neville putting good chances wide, but Madrid rallied round and Ronaldo could have increased their lead if his shot had been on target. It all sets up an enthralling second leg in a fortnight's time, but the European champions must now be favourites to go through. (08.04.03)