PSG vs FC Barcelona

 




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On the 2nd of April 2013, Paris Saint-Germain took on FC Barcelona in Paris, in the Parc des Princes.  As the match kicked off, PSG dominated the first thirty minutes as they had an early on goalscoring chance in the 4th minute as Ezequiel Lavezzi hit the post.  With seven minutes until half-time, Lionel Messi broke the deadlock when he was put through onto goal from Dani Alves's perfectly waited outside of the foot pass.  The little Argentine made no mistake, with a left foot volley into the bottom right corner.  Shortly after Messi put his side infront, he suffered an injury in his hamstring, and had to be changed at half-time.  Cesc Fabregas would replace him.  

As the second half kicked off, Barça were in control of the game with Xavi orchestrating Barcelona's attack.  The PSG fans were getting inpatient as their team could not get possesion of the ball, but the Parc des Princes was set alive when Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished a loose ball in the box to equalize.  Barcelona's players complained for offside and looking at the replay, he was a clear yard offside.  Just after Zlatan's equalizer, Barcelona with more injury worries as Mascherano had to be taken off by a stretcher.  He would have to be replaced by 22 year old centre-back, Marc Bartra.  Barcelona were looking for the winning goal, and in the 88th minute, after stringing some passes together, Alexis Sanchez was put through behind PSG's back four and  was taken down in the area by Sirigu.  A clear penalty for Barcelona and the chance to go into the second-leg in Nou Camp with the advantage.  Xavi stepped up, and finished the penalty into the bottom right corner giving Barça the lead.  It looked as though Barcelona would be heading home with an away victory, but that was denied when in the dying seconds of the match, Ibrahimovic won the header to set up a volley for Matuidi who smashed it.  His volley took a deflection off Bartra's leg, and rolled into the back of net to give PSG the last minute equalizer.  The match ended 2-2.


FC Barcelona

Dani Alves vs PSG

Man of the Match - FC Barcelona

Dani Alves is FC Barcelona's Man of the Match as he played a brilliant game vs PSG, attacking, defending, and creating chances for Barcelona.  He assisted Messi's goal in the 38th minute of the match with a perfectly weighted outside of the foot pass.

Lionel Messi vs PSG

Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the match putting his side infront, but shortly afterwards, had to come off due to a hamstring injury.

Iniesta and Xavi

 Both Iniesta and Xavi had a great influence on Barcelona's attack stringing up passes in midfield and creating opportunities.



PSG

Blaise Matuidi vs FC Barcelona

Man of the match - PSG 

Blaise Matuidi is PSG's Man of the Match as he covered a lot of ground in midfield and also scored PSG's equalizer in the dying seconds of the match with a volley.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs FC Barcelona

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a key part for PSG as he was very effective with his aerial presence, winning headers, controling with his chest, and then laying off to start the attack.  He scored PSG's equalizer in the 79th minute and assisted Matuidi's last minute equalizer.

Thiago Silva vs FC Barcelona

 
Thiago Silva played a great match.  He was impressive in defense, winning headers, and making great tackles.  His header that hit the post was finished by Ibrahimovic who was offside.

Lucas Moura vs FC Barcelona

Lucas Moura was very active in the first half making runs down the right hand side, but in the second half, he lacked the intensity that he had in the first half.