MANCHESTER, England (REUTERS) - Barcelona overcame a punchless Manchester United to take the upper hand in their Champions League quarter-final after Luke Shaw's own goal gave them a 1-0 first-leg victory at Old Trafford on Wednesday (April 10).
Shaw deflected a Luis Suarez header into his own net after 12 minutes, handing the Catalans a vital away goal that will make them clear favourites in the return leg.
After United's comeback against Paris St Germain in the previous round, Barca will take nothing for granted, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team will struggle to repeat the trick against a side with a fearsome home record.
"We played a good team," said Solskjaer.
"We know you have to defend a lot without the ball and you might be tired when you get the chance yourself. We go there with one thing in my mind, we have to score."
Barca have not lost at home for 30 games in the Champions League since 2013 and while United can take credit for staying in the tie, they produced little that will overly worry the Spanish side.
Barcelona's first win at Old Trafford in European competition was relatively comfortable with their keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen not having a single shot to save.
With Paul Pogba failing to impact the game, United were left trying to hit Barca on the break or from set-pieces and too often they lacked the precision to make the most of the few openings that fell their way.
The crucial away goal was well-worked. Sergio Busquets found Lionel Messi with a clever ball into the area and the Argentine carved out space on the left to deliver a lofted cross to former Liverpool striker Suarez at the back post.
The Uruguayan's header deflected off the shoulder of a scrambling Shaw and beat David De Gea to give the visitors the lead and although the linesman initially flagged for offside, the goal was given after a VAR video review.
DE GEA SAVES
United had De Gea to thank for keeping the difference down to a single goal as he saved superbly with his feet to keep out Philippe Coutinho in the 36th minute.
Then the home side had an appeal for a penalty waved away after Scott McTominay, who had a fine game in midfield, went down under a challenge from Gerard Pique.
United's best chance of the first half fell to Diogo Dalot but the Portuguese made a mess of a fine Marcus Rashford ball, heading harmlessly across the goal from close-range.
Solskjaer's team had struggled to get a foothold in the game during the opening 45 minutes, but they were much improved after the break, applying plenty of pressure without creating any clear chances.
Barcelona could have added a second had Suarez not fired into the side-netting from a promising position after a clever through ball from Nelson Semedo and then De Gea did well to foil Jordi Alba's low drive - again with his legs.
The loss was United's fourth in their last five games in all competitions.
"We did as well as we could against Messi, kept our shape well. It could have gone both ways," said Solskjaer.
"I don't think we hit the target and that's a disappointment. We go there with work to be done but chances," he added.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde was pleased with the result, especially given the club's previous failure to win at Old Trafford in four earlier meetings in European competition.
"Given the atmosphere and the type of team they are and that this is the Champions League it's very hard to win here, it was a very difficult game and things were complicated for us at a few moments," he said.
"We had spells of dominance they pressured us very high but we created the clearest chances," he added.
May 02, 2019 · Arsenal, Chelsea in strong positions in Europa League semis. The possibility of an all-English final in the Europa League grew stronger after Arsenal and Chelsea moved into strong positions in the
Arsenal favourites for Europa League, says Valencia's
Anas Bani Yaseen's first-half header helped Jordan to a 1-0 upset over Australia in the opening match of Group B at the Asian Cup. Australia's bid to defend their Asian Cup crown began in
AFC Asian Cup 2019: Jordan inflict shock 1-0 defeat on Australia
Paul Pogba strikes twice as Manchester United win on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer home debut Description: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could not conceal the delight on his face as he strode down the touchline before kick-off, dressed in club blazer and tie, waving to supporters as he made his way to the dugout.
Pogba strikes twice as Man Utd win on Solskjaer home debut
Welcome to the official Tottenham Hotspur website. Explore the site, discover the latest Spurs news & matches and check out our new stadium.
Jimenez , Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis | Euronews WOLVERHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the FA Cup semi -finals for the first time since 1998 by beating last year's runners-up Manchester United 2-1 with a Diogo Jota put the home side further ahead with a brilliant solo strike in the 76th, bursting through on the
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
TOKYO: Japan captain Maya Yoshida warned his young teammates that they will need to handle the pressure that comes with being Asian Cup favourites as the four-time winners prepare to open their campaign against Turkmenistan on Wednesday.
Football: Pressure comes with the territory warns Japan's
samuraishopper.com/2019/01/09/football-pressure-comes-with-the-territory-warns-japans-yoshida-channel-newsasia/
Football: Pressure comes with the territory warns Japan's Yoshida Channel NewsAsiaTOKYO: Japan captain Maya Yoshida warned his young teammates that they will need to handle the pressure that comes with being Asian Cup favourites
Pressure comes with the territory, warns Japan skipper Maya
Antonio hurts Spurs again - straitstimes.com
Dijon's French midfielder Florent Balmont vies with Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish defender Juan Bernat during the French L1 football match. (JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK/AFP) Marquinhos, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored PSG's goals in their first outing since their disastrous exit from the Champions League in the last
PSG win in first outing since Champions League nightmare
We trust ourselves. It's just three goals. If it's 10 goals against us, then it's a problem. "In a game, both teams want to win. That's football. We (the fans and the team) have to grow together
The Importance of Self-Trust - Mike Robbins
Singapore's Akbar is best coach in I-League. Mar 25, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best coach as champions Chennai City sweep awards.
Van Dijk embraces tearful referee whose mother had passed
sportslifetale.com/soccer/van-dijk-embraces-tearful-referee-whose-mother-had-passed-away/
'I wished him strength and said that he had done well': Holland captain Virgil van Dijk embraces tearful referee whose mother had recently passed away after securing Nations League draw with Germany Virgil van Dijk led the way for Holland on Monday and helped his side draw 2-2 The defender's late equaliser salvaged a point […]
Site Supervisor - Kenston Construction - Singapore
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman believes his team need to find greater attacking potency to truly become a force on the world stage again.. Portugal won the inaugural Nations League title by
Apr 18, 2019 · Leading Premier League players will undertake a 24-hour social media boycott on Friday in protest at recent incidents of racist abuse.. The boycott, organised by the players' union, the
EPL players in 24-hour boycott of social media
Maurizio Sarri says he is not worried about Chelsea's looming transfer embargo, insisting he has confidence as he targets a top-four finish. Chelsea can cope with transfer ban, says Sarri | Sport24
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen