News Archive

Champions League, round of 16, first leg

PSV Eindhoven 0 – Atlético Madrid 0

Atlético Madrid came away from their first leg tie at PSV Eindhoven with a 0-0 draw, giving them a slight advantage going in to the return match. Vietto and Griezmann both wasted chances on early breakaways, the former beating Zoet only for Bruma to clear the ball off the line, and the latter seeing the keeper get a hand to his shot. Oblak had to make an important save from Pröpper though to keep the scores level at the break, and Koke almost turned the ball in to his own net tying to clear a dangerous cross at the start of the second half. A few minutes later Godín headed a corner in to the net only to see the strike disallowed for a foul on Moreno, and three minutes after that the locals were left with ten men when Pereiro picked up a second yellow card. However Simeone’s side were unable to take advantage, Fernando Torres and Correa having shots blocked, and Zoet saving from Gabi, and everything will now be decided in the Calderón stadium in three weeks time. (24.02.16)

Arsenal 0 – Barcelona 2

Defending champions Barcelona took a big step towards a place in the last eight after a 0-2 victory at Arsenal on Tuesday night. It was a fast moving game right from the start, although the first real shot at goal didn’t come until midway through the first half, Oxlade-Chamberlain seeing his effort saved by Ter Stegen. Luis Suárez went close a couple of times just before the break though, and Cech had to be at his best to keep out Neymar soon after the restart. Stegen did well to keep out a Giroud header soon afterwards, but with twenty minutes to go Barça took the lead on a quick breakaway, Neymar and Luis Suárez combining to set up Messi for him to finally beat Cech after failing to score against him the previous six times they have met. A few minutes later Luis Suárez hit the post, and with seven minutes to go Messi got his second of the night from the penalty spot after Flamini hacked him down in the area just a minute after coming on for Coquelin. Both keepers made important saves after that, Stegen from Ramsey and Cech from Neymar, but the scoreline remained unmoved. (23.02.16)