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Schweinsteiger: Manchester United clash will be 'incredibly difficult'
By Peter McVitie
Mar 31, 2014 8:16:00 PM
The Germany international is surprised to see David Moyes' side struggling domestically but still feels they will put up a good fight in the Champions League
Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger believes his side's Champions League first-leg clash with Manchester United will be a very tough encounter.
The Bavarian giants head into the game having already been crowned Bundesliga champions and remain the favourites to win the Champions League this season, while Tuesday’s opponents are struggling in the Premier League as they currently sit in seventh place.
But the Germany international has warned that they must not lose focus against David Moyes' men at Old Trafford.
"Everyone knows what to expect tomorrow," he told reporters in a press conference. "It will be an incredibly difficult game.
"It's something very special to be able to play at Old Trafford."
He added: "It's great to have already one title, but we can't lose focus now. We want to win every remaining game. We're a team that wants to win every game - even in training. This is no different."
The midfielder was then asked for his thoughts on the Red Devils' poor domestic form, to which he replied: "United should be one of the top four in the league all the time."
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer also feels United will give the visitors a difficult test at Old Trafford.
"The name Manchester United deserves a lot of respect alone. They fought back well against Olympiakos," he said.
"We know just how well they can maintain their focus."
The Dutchman is wary of the Red Devils, despite their poor season, and does not think Robin van Persie's absence makes them any less dangerous
Arjen Robben is refusing to allow complacency to creep in ahead of the first leg of Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United on Tuesday.
The Red Devils have struggled without Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm, with David Moyes' side sitting seventh in the Premier League and 10 points clear of a top-four spot.
Winning the Champions League looks like United's only chance of securing elite European football next season, but the Dutch winger is not underestimating the damage that the English giants could do to die Roten.
"In a game like this, form goes out of the window," he told the club's official website. "In the previous round United lost 2-0 at Olympiakos then won at home 3-0.
"We must be careful. In the media and the public it's general consensus that Manchester United are not in good shape, but they have reached the quarter-finals here.
"But I do not think like this - this is a difficult duel! We need to perform from the first minute and put in a top performance. You need to be careful or you can lose against United."
Robben does not think the absence of Robin van Persie - who scored all three goals in the last-16 second leg for Moyes' men - will hugely affect Tuesday's hosts as he stressed they have other quality attackers.
"I spoke to Robin a little bit since the draw, but not much because of his injury," he added. "It's a pity he will not be playing.
"That goes for Thiago [Alcantara] [who picked up an injury in Bayern's 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim on Saturday] too now. In the final phase of the season everybody wants to be fit and if they're not it's painful, I know from experience.
"Of course Van Persie has a special quality, but they have other forward options like Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Nani and Antonio Valencia. As I said, it will be a tough duel but we are eager to face them."
'Dortmund no worse than last year' - Klopp wants Madrid scalp again
By Miles Chambers
Mar 31, 2014 11:50:00 AM
The coach defended his team's record this season in the face of numerous injuries and thinks that los Blancos have improved since Carlo Ancelotti took charge
Jurgen Klopp says his Borussia Dortmund team are just as good as the side who finished runners-up in the Champions League last season and more than capable of beating Real Madrid.
The Schwarzgelben face Carlo Ancelotti's men on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in the quarter-final first leg then have the advantage of playing the second leg at Signal Iduna Park.
Despite being without suspended striker Robert Lewandowski - their hero when they knocked out los Blancos a year ago in the last four - and a long injury list, Klopp is confident that his team are just as good as 12 months ago.
"With our budget and the likes of Neven Subotic, Sven Bender, Ilkay Gundogan, Marcel Schmelzer and Jakub Blaszczykowski on the injury list, there is no doubt that we are the underdogs, the Cinderella of this tie," the coach told Marca.
"But I always say we don't have to be the best team in the world, we just have to be able to beat the best team in the world in a head-on clash and Dortmund can beat the best.
"That's the most important thing for me. Dortmund will take their chances and, who knows, we might even win!
"I don't think we're worse than last season. It's been a very difficult season from the beginning. We have faced extraordinary challenges and an unprecedented injury crisis. I've never seen anything like it.
"But, in spite of everything, we are on the road to achieving all the goals we set ourselves at the start of the season. So you can't talk about us playing worse or not being as strong as we were.
"We're second in the Bundesliga, we're in the DFB-Pokal semi-finals and we have made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, just like last year. And don't forget, we came top in the toughest Champions League group just like we did last season... we never give up."
Regardless of his confidence in BVB pulling off a surprise, Klopp is wary of newcomers this season such as Gareth Bale and believes they have undoubtedly improved over the last 12 months under Carlo Ancelotti.
They have bought some good players like Bale and Isco," he added. "They have tremendous strength in every position, a full team of skilled players capable of success in all the competitions they play in.
"I think this Real squad is even better than the previous one. They have great attacking power and they defend well."
Klopp head into the tie on the back of a 3-2 win on Saturday, while Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano 5-0 to turn around their fortunes after back-to-back losses.
Real are favourites for Dortmund clash, claims Kehl
By Nicholas McGee
Mar 31, 2014 5:43:00 PM
The BVB captain believes Los Blancos are one of the favourites to win the tournament this season but stressed his side are in great condition ahead of the first leg
Sebastian Kehl accepts Borussia Dortmund will be underdogs against Real Madrid, despite beating them in the Champions League last season.
Dortmund overcame Real 4-3 on aggregate to secure a place in the 2012-13 final, with a 4-1 first-leg triumph at Signal Iduna Park arguably the highlight of a marvellous European campaign for Jurgen Klopp's men before their final
Send your questions to Man Utd & Real Madrid legend Ruud van Nistelrooy via @Heineken using #sharethesofa on Wednesday evening
The Bundesliga giants are in contention to make another run towards the latter stages of the competition this year and will renew acquaintances with Real in the quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
The Spanish side crushed Dortmund's neighbours Schalke 9-2 on aggregate in the last-16 and Dortmund head into the game without striker Robert Lewandowski - scorer of all four goals in last term's first leg success against Real.
And Kehl knows that Real will present a different proposition this time around.
"We're in excellent condition physically, but of course we know that Real are not the same side we faced last year," Kehl told Kicker.
"They are the absolute favourites, together with Bayern Munich, to win the Champions League.
"But we showed last year that we can beat them and they won't have forgotten that."
Dortmund can at best achieve a second-placed finish in Germany's top flight, but can reach the final of the DFB-Pokal by overcoming Wolfsburg in the last four in mid-April.
Kehl insists that meeting those targets takes precedence over Dortmund's exploits in the Champions League.
"Then we would have reached all of our goals [by finish second and reaching the DFB-Pokal final]," Kehl added.
"We have already gone as far as we planned in the Champions League, and all that comes next is a bonus."
Mats Hummels is taking nothing for granted ahead of Borussia Dortmund's UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Having gone 18 games unbeaten in La Liga, Real's season has been turned on its head in recent weeks after back-to-back defeats to Barcelona and Sevilla.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have dropped down to third in the table, behind Madrid rivals Atletico and Barcelona, though they improved to thrash Rayo Vallecano 5-0 on Saturday.
Despite Real's indifferent form, Hummels is aware of the task facing a resurgent Dortmund side, who are three games unbeaten, at the Bernabeu.
"I watched their game against Barcelona and I don't think you could call that bad," the Germany international told the Bundesliga's official website.
"Real were by no means outplayed and they have a lot of world-class players, but they're still beatable if you know where their weaknesses are."
Dortmund know exactly where Real's weaknesses are after defeating the Spanish giants 4-3 on aggregate en route to last season's final at Wembley.
World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has enjoyed another productive season in Madrid, netting 28 goals in La Liga and a competition-high 13 in the Champions League.
But Hummels is wary of Real's full array of other attacking threats, including Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria, who have registered five assists apiece in this season's European campaign.
"There's more to Real Madrid than just Ronaldo," Hummels added.
"They've got (Karim) Benzema, (Angel) di Maria and (Gareth) Bale too. That's a lot more than just one player."
Defeat to Barcelona left a bitter taste, says Motta
By Joe Wright
Mar 31, 2014 9:18:00 PM
The midfielder believes his side were unlucky to lose out on away goals in last season's Champions League tie but is confident the team have greatly improved this term
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta is determined to go far in this season's Champions League in order to put the "bitter taste" of last season behind them.
The French champions were knocked out at the quarter-final stage on away goals by Barcelona last year after a strike from Pedro at Camp Nou prevented les Parisiens from a famous win.
And having produced dominant displays in both the group stage and last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen, Motta is confident Laurent Blanc's side capable of challenging for the last four as they prepare to take on Chelsea.
"When you're eliminated, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. I think we did a good job but in the end we were eliminated thanks to the goal from Pedro," he told BeIn Sport.
"This year we will try to do better than last time. We've changed a little bit. We've changed players, our game and our style of play. The team feels a little more confidence with how we play now.
"We're confident we're doing a good job. Things have certainly improved, we know that."
The first leg takes place at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
The former Newcastle player says his are motivated ahead of their last-eight tie with the Blues and believes both games will be tough
Yohan Cabaye says Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League clash with Chelsea is the "first real test" his side have faced in the competition this season.
The French giants are looking to improve on last season's performance in Europe's premier club tournament, when they crashed out at the quarter-final to Barcelona on the away goals rule.
And Cabaye feels Jose Mourinho's outfit will be the toughest the Ligue 1 champions have met in Europe this campaign.
"We need to work hard, stay focused and show a lot of respect to their team," the midfielder told Uefa's official website. "It’ll be the first real test for PSG this year in European competition, so we’re motivated.
"In the end, the objective is to qualify for the semi-finals. We expect two tough matches and it won’t be easy but we’re ready to put in the effort."
The 28-year-old joined the capital club in a big-money move from Newcastle in January and he reflected positively on his time in England but said he couldn't reject a move back to France.
“I really liked playing in another league and discovering another culture. Playing in the best league at the moment, it was a real discovery for me. I loved it, I enjoyed it a lot.
"When a club like PSG wants you and does everything to have you, it’s difficult not to accept it. It allows me to come and play to win titles like the French league, we're in the League Cup final and of course we’re still in the Champions League.
"For a football player, these are very important decisions to make. I didn’t hesitate in coming here."
Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc (C) talks to his team players during a training session at the Camp des Loges training center in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris March 11, 2014. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
(Reuters) - Paris St Germain must be ruthless in front of goal when they take on 2012 winners Chelsea in a Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, according to coach Laurent Blanc.
The Ligue 1 champions-elect are on an eight-game winning streak in all competitions but the former France centre back knows Chelsea, under Jose Mourinho, have the experience and defensive know-how to strangle any opposition.
"We will have to be more efficient," said Blanc. "We will have fewer chances and those we create we will have to convert.
"We know we need to be at another level," he added of the Parc des Princes clash.
Blanc's expensively-assembled squad have no equals in the domestic league, leading second-placed Monaco by 13 points with seven games left this season.
PSG also sailed through to the knockout stages of the Champions League from a group featuring Anderlecht, Porto and Olympiakos Piraeus before dismissing Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
The key to both games against Chelsea could be Blanc's red-hot striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swedish international is the runaway leading scorer in Ligue 1 this term with 25 goals, 11 ahead of team mate Edinson Cavani and Alexandre Lacazette of Olympique Lyon who share second place.
Ibrahimovic has also excelled in the Champions League, bagging 10 goals in this season's competition.
PSG, perhaps with one eye on the Chelsea game, produced a below-par performance at Nice on Friday and needed an own goal to secure a 1-0 win.
SILVA DOUBT
The Ligue 1 leaders are expected to be at full strength although they have a slight doubt over Thiago Silva.
The Brazilian centre back is likely to have to play in a face mask after fracturing his cheekbone 11 days ago.
Silva and full back Gregory van der Wiel, who is recovering from a knee injury, were rested against Nice.
The last time Chelsea visited the Parc des Princes in the 2004-05 group stages, for Mourinho's first European game as the London club's manager, they beat PSG 3-0.
Mourinho will be desperate for a reaction from his players after they delivered an abject show in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at struggling Crystal Palace.
Chelsea were sluggish in midfield and toothless in attack, prompting the Portuguese to say their Premier League title ambitions were now a thing of the past.
Gary Cahill, one of four defenders to escape Mourinho's wrath on Saturday, said it was a painful experience for the squad.
"It hurts losing any football match and it certainly hurt at the end of the game because we knew how vital three points would be," said Cahill.
"It was massively disappointing, the feeling at the end of the game was horrible, but all we can do is keep pushing ... we have to bounce back."
Midfielder Nemanja Matic and winger Mohamed Salah are ineligible, after joining Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Brazilian playmaker Willian should be back after being rested at Palace while Mourinho is hoping Samuel Eto'o can return up front after suffering a hamstring problem against Arsenal two weekends ago.
Published: Monday 31 March 2014, 9.31CET
As Manchester United FC and FC Bayern München prepare to meet again in the quarter-finals, Sir Alex Ferguson looks back on their unforgettable final duel 15 years ago.
by Martyn Hindley
The draw for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals paired Manchester United FC with FC Bayern München, bringing back memories of a famous night 15 years ago.
All of the teams' nine previous meetings have been in Europe's top club competition, none more memorable than the 1999 showpiece when Sir Alex Ferguson's men struck twice in the 90th minute through substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær to overturn Mario Basler's opener and complete an unprecedented treble by an English side.
UEFA caught up with United's former manager – now the UEFA Coaching Ambassador – whose teams were famed throughout his 27-year reign at Old Trafford for a never-say-die attitude that produced unlikely comebacks aplenty. There is no finer example of this than that evening in Barcelona.
"You couldn't do it a better way because there was no comeback," said Sir Alex. "If you're going to do something special, doing so as late as that is fantastic. It wasn't an accident because that team did it so many times that season. They had a fantastic desire to win. They had a great team spirit, a great character about the team, and they deserved to win simply because they kept doing it."
Sir Alex consoling Ottmar Hitzfeld in '99
That his sides were famed for such recoveries was not down to chance – Sir Alex and United never knew when they were beaten. He liked to gamble. He would rather give it a go, be bold and push men forward, than succumb meekly.
"Some of the greatest moments in my time at United have been in the last 15 minutes, without question," Sir Alex explained. "Say you're down 1-0 or 2-1, there's no point in being conservative and playing your normal game because it hasn't worked for 75 minutes. So risk and shove an extra player up front. We did that in the final against Bayern München with Solskjær, [Andrew] Cole and Sheringham."
Published: Monday 31 March 2014, 9.24CET
Petr Cech, the latest man to reach 100 UEFA Champions League outings, tells UEFA.com of the "unbelievable joy" he experienced when Chelsea FC won the competition in 2012.
by Louis Laffitte
Having experienced the "absolutely amazing feeling" of winning the UEFA Champions League once before with Chelsea FC, Petr Čech is desperate for a repeat.
The Czech Republic No1 is potentially four games away from a third final appearance in Europe's top competition in seven seasons; Paris Saint-Germain provide Chelsea's quarter-final opposition on Wednesday, with the first leg in France, where Čech spent two years at Stade Rennais FC prior to moving to Stamford Bridge in summer 2004.
A runner-up against Manchester United FC in 2008 when the Blues lost on penalties in Moscow, Čech went one better four years later, saving Arjen Robben's spot kick in extra time and shoot-out attempts from Ivica Olić and Bastian Schweinsteiger as Chelsea stunned FC Bayern München in their own stadium. Recalling that special night in Munich in May 2012, the 31-year-old told UEFA.com: "It's the feeling of accomplishment and unbelievable joy in the end because it was very special.
"I have won many things in football, domestic cups and leagues, but that moment when Didier [Drogba] scored the last penalty and you know we've done it was an absolutely amazing feeling. This is the moment you lived for and that's why you want to repeat it if you can, because this was such a strong emotion that it is really worth it to try again."
Published: Monday 31 March 2014, 21.19CET
'Stay true to yourself' was the mantra as FC Barcelona vowed not to compromise on their ideals, while Diego Simeone urged Club Atlético de Madrid to fight fire with fire.
FC Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino vowed to remain true to his philosophy when Liga leaders Club Atlético de Madrid visit Camp Nou for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League last-eight opener. Counterpart Diego Simeone was preaching from the same book ahead of the sides' first ever European meeting, adding: "At Atlético we are faithful to our club's style." Though the sight of Diego Costa pulling up in training on Monday evening will have dampened his ardour.
Barcelona
Gerardo Martino, coach
Atlético have been doing great things this season and last season as well. They are alive in two competitions and seem very confident and strong. In our three games against them, they have proved to be very tough opponents.
We have to win and not concede any goals, that's obvious when there's a return leg. The first thing we need to do is to win because then the onus is on our opponents. I always think that if you weren't courageous, you wouldn't be where you are now. You need to be brave to play the way we do, so you can rest assured we will be brave tomorrow.
When a coach has an idea, he needs to field the players in the right positions for it. We know we sacrifice Neymar on the right side. We analyse such things after the match rather than before, but players of Neymar's calibre can play anywhere in attack.
We always have to look at the dangers every opponent presents. We knew Manchester City were dangerous attacking down the wings, the same as Real Madrid. Sometimes you have a situation where you know where they can hit you, but you also know where you can hit them.
• Messi's eighth goal in his last four Liga appearances – and his first at Espanyol's Estadi Cornellà-El Prat – helped second-placed Barça remain within a point of leaders Atlético.
Team news
Goalkeeper Víctor Valdés is out for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury; José Manuel Pinto has been included in the squad following a bout of lumbago. Alex Song missed the weekend win with a bruised left calf, and while Jonathan Dos Santos and Carles Puyol are absent with knee injuries, the latter has been included in a 22-man squad despite not being given the all-clear to play. As for Pedro Rodríguez, he trained as usual after recovering from gastroenteritis.
Atlético
Diego Simeone, coach
I think tomorrow's match is the toughest of all our meetings with Barcelona. Barça are back to their best and tomorrow we will see that version of them. They will want to decide the tie tomorrow, not in the second leg. We will have to make the most of our chances. If we say we're favourites, we're cocky. I just say we're here to compete. This will be a great tie and tomorrow's match is very important.
We have our own identity and I am going to stick to my team and honour the history of our club. I don't think people should be too hasty with Barcelona and Gerardo Martino, saying Barcelona won't win the title. They can win all three trophies. Barcelona are playing very well, they played well in Madrid and they are very used to these games.
As I said before, we have two Argentinian coaches in the quarter-finals. Martino is at a big club that has enjoyed great success; at Atlético we are faithful to our club's style and I don't think I can add an Argentinian touch to that. The style of Barcelona is different, they like having possession whereas we have our own weapons. We shall see who is the stronger team.
Weekend result
Saturday: Athletic Club 1-2 Atlético (Muniain 6; Diego Costa 22, Koke 55)
Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luís; Gabi, Mario Suárez, Raúl García (Rodríguez 82), Sosa (Arda Turan 57), Koke; Diego Costa (Villa 90+1).
• Pacesetters Atlético have won their last five Spanish top-flight games. Their 76-point haul equals their tally for the whole of last season. The last time they registered more in a Liga campaign, they won the championship with 87 points in 1995/96.
Team news
Raúl García is suspended for the first leg and Javi Manquillo is sidelined with a neck injury, but the biggest worry for Simeone is Diego Costa, who pulled up in Monday evening's training session with a knee problem. "The medics will evaluate his condition but I reckon it is unlikely that he'll play tomorrow," Simeone told Spanish TV.
Match facts
Barcelona drew 0-0 at Atlético in the Liga on 11 January. They also met over two legs in August for the Spanish Super Cup, the Azulgrana prevailing on away goals after drawing 1-1 in Madrid (Neymar replying to David Villa to open his account in Spain) and 0-0 at Camp Nou.
"It is the sort of night where in recent history United have risen to the occasion," said David Moyes as Manchester United FC gear up to meet on-song FC Bayern München.
by Claire Gray
from Manchester
David Moyes hopes the big occasion will bring the best out of his faltering Manchester United FC side as FC Bayern München head for Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Josep Guardiola is still wary of what United can produce, but he is also concerned with the more distant past: specifically 1976 and the last time Bayern successfully defended the European Cup.
Manchester United
David Moyes, manager
Bayern were a very good side last year – they won the Champions League and had a good team, and they've looked to add to that again this season. They have a new manager and I congratulate them on winning the Bundesliga. They are probably the side most people have looked to recently.
I think the pressure is equally balanced. We want to win the game as much as Bayern do. We go into the game knowing that on our day we're as good a side as any. We have to show that more often but I have great belief in the players. I have said that from day one – and that hasn't changed. We have defensive issues, undoubtedly. I won't be giving out my team today. But as everybody is well aware, we will have to make one or two changes.
We want to make sure we play well. We want to keep improving. There have been little signs recently that we are – we've had some good results and we need to try to build on that. We are playing against a good side, but it is the sort of night where in recent history United have risen to the occasion.
Weekend result
Saturday: Manchester United 4-1 Aston Villa FC (Rooney 20 45pen, Mata 57, Hernández 90+1; Westwood 13)
De Gea; Rafael (Carrick 46), Vidić, Jones, Büttner; Fletcher, Fellaini; Mata, Kagawa (Januzaj 68), Young; Rooney (Hernández 75).
• Seventh-placed United came from behind to claim just their seventh Premier League home win of the season. They have suffered six top-flight defeats at Old Trafford – one more than the previous three campaigns combined.
Team news
Robin van Persie is out until the end of April with the left knee injury sustained in the 3-0 round of 16 second-leg victory over Olympiacos FC in Manchester. Jonny Evans (calf) has not played since 1 February while Chris Smalling (hamstring) is also absent. Patrice Evra is suspended.
Bayern
Josep Guardiola, coach
We are up against Manchester United and they are one of the most important clubs in the world, regardless of their current situation. Just look back at the last ten to 15 years under Sir Alex [Ferguson]. They still have very good players. It is a great honour for me to be here again in Manchester – the last time was about 20 years ago [a 2-2 group stage draw in 1994]. I hope we can produce a good performance.
There are eight teams in the quarter-finals and every one of the eight coaches, not to mention every player, wants to win this title. For me, it is not the most important title of the season but it is the most prestigious. We know how important it is for the club, the players, the coach, to compete and try to win this. It is not easy, but Bayern are going to try. The last time [they defended the European Cup] it was '76, with Franz Beckenbauer's team.
As a coach it is important to keep going, to maintain what we did last season and try to achieve that again. To do it against a team like Manchester United is an honour, a real honour. Coaches around the world don't like being called favourites before the game, but I can't argue. I have to accept it because last season Bayern won everything and this season we have won the title with seven games to spare.
But I know deep in my heart which [Manchester United] team we are going to face. Maybe they have not had a good season in the Premier League, but in the Champions League they beat Leverkusen [5-0], they have won many important games. But when I see [Wayne] Rooney, when I see [Rio] Ferdinand, when I see [Nemanja] Vidić, when I see Ryan Giggs, when I see Chicharito [Javier Hernández], [Danny] Welbeck ... I know them all too well.
• After winning 19 Bundesliga matches in a row, a much-changed Bayern side dropped points for the first time since early October.
Team news
Thiago Alcántara is out with a knee injury sustained on Saturday. Dante is suspended.
Match fact
• Guardiola guided FC Barcelona to UEFA Champions League final triumphs against United in 2009 (2-0 in Rome) and 2011 (3-1 at Wembley). He also lifted the trophy as a player at Wembley when Barcelona overcame UC Sampdoria in 1992.
Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Neymar bails out Blaugrana after thunderbolt from Diego
The Rojiblancos midfielder opened the scoring with a sensational strike from distance only to see his fellow Brazilian level matters from a sublime Andres Iniesta pass
Neymar's composed finish cancelled out Diego's wondergoal as Barcelona rescued a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
It appeared as though the visitors would take a slender lead from the quarter-final encounter at Camp Nou on Wednesday after the Brazilian struck.
Diego had started on the bench, but was called upon in the first half when Diego Costa – who overcame a knee injury to start the match – had to exit play.
And he duly lit up a match that proved every bit as tight as their respective positions in La Liga suggested with a rasping drive from 25 yards.
However, Brazil international Neymar ensured Gerardo Martino's would not head into the return leg at Vicente Calderon with a deficit when he curled past the otherwise excellent Thibaut Courtois with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Diego Simeone's men will still have the advantage of an away goal in that fixture, but the tie remains nicely poised after the first encounter.
The visitors showed no signs of being fazed by a boisterous home crowd in the opening exchanges, home goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto showing the biggest display of nerves, but former Barca man David Villa failed to punish his weak clearance, inexplicably missing the target from eight yards after being found by Arda Turan.
Centre-back Gerard Pique was forced off in the 10th minute after falling heavily in an aerial challenge, with Marc Bartra replacing the Spain international in defence.
Despite the setback, Barcelona started showing glimpses of their free-flowing best and Lionel Messi showed superb footwork to escape Miranda before his throughball was collected by Andres Iniesta who was denied by a great block from Diego Godin.
Atleti were hit with an injury blow of their own as Costa limped off and a subsequent lack of physical presence in their attack helped Barcelona dictate the tempo, but Messi’s tame five-yard header was the closest they went before the break.
Indeed, Martino's men were almost caught on the counter, Villa's curling effort from the edge of the box forcing Pinto into a smart low save on the stroke of half-time.
Barcelona were met with a dogged Atleti display in the second half, and their tenacity paid dividends in the 56th minute.
Diego skipped cleverly past Iniesta before drilling an unstoppable drive that swerved past Pinto and into the top right-hand corner.
Barcelona sought a quick response, and Sergio Busquets' well-controlled volley from 20 yards almost provided one shortly after the hour mark, but Courtois was equal to the task.
However, there was nothing the Belgian could to stop Neymar levelling matters in the 71st minute. Iniesta's exquisite outside-of-the-foot through-ball found the 22-year-old on the left-hand side of the area and he curled a fine strike past a despairing Courtois.
The equaliser buoyed Barcelona, and the visitors had Courtois to thank for ensuring a fourth draw of the season between the two sides, the Chelsea loanee making impressive saves from Iniesta and Messi, the latter of which was a fine diving stop to keep out the Argentina international's superb free kick.
Manchester United 1-1 Bayern Munich: Schweinsteiger hands holders the advantage despite late dismissal
The midfielder bagged a second-half away goal to hand the initiative to the German side, despite Nemanja Vidic's brilliant header
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored a vital away goal as Bayern Munich drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, and was later sent off.
Nemanja Vidic opened the scoring with a brilliant second-half header but United's shock lead did not last long, with Schweinsteiger's crisp volley soon levelling proceedings.
The Germany international would not finish the game, however, as he shown a second yellow card late on after a rash challenge on Wayne Rooney.
He will, therefore, miss the second leg on April 9, along with his defensive team-mate Javi Martinez, who picked up a booking of his own for a cynical foul on Javier Hernandez.
The hosts were under the cosh for almost the entire match but captain Vidic grabbed the opening goal 13 minutes into the second half as Europe's premier club competition continued to represent a bright spot in United's otherwise troublesome campaign.
Despite their fall from grace domestically, the Premier League champions had won all four of their European ties at Old Trafford this season prior to Tuesday and that run looked set to continue when the Serbian produced a header of the highest quality from Wayne Rooney's corner.
Vidic, departing for Inter at the end of the season, gave United the platform for victory but they were unable to build on it as the recently-crowned German champions equalised through Schweinsteiger just eight minutes later.
The away goal will make life that bit harder for United when they make the trip to Munich, with Pep Guardiola's side holding a slight advantage as the Spaniard looks to replicate predecessor Jupp Heynckes in securing a treble.
However, Guardiola will be without Schweinsteiger for the second leg after the midfield lynchpin picked up a second yellow card late on for a foul on Rooney.
Danny Welbeck thought he had opened the scoring early on, only to be penalised for a high foot in the build-up.
After a fairly even opening 10 minutes, Bayern began to assert their quality, dominating possession and creating a succession of half-chances.
However, the hosts stood firm and did well to deny their opponents any clear sights of goal.
Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben were involved in much of Bayern's best work but even they were unable to manufacture an opportunity until the Dutchman brought a stunning save from David de Gea with a curling left-footed effort from just outside the penalty area.
Welbeck then tested Manuel Neuer from range and went on to waste the best chance of the half after being put through one-on-one.
The England international attempted to beat Bayern's goalkeeper with a cheeky lofted effort, but Neuer was not fooled and palmed the ball away with his right hand.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Bayern keeping possession and probing to little effect.
Bayern were made to pay for their inability to break down United when Vidic headed his side in front - angling a header past Neuer after Rooney had delivered a corner from the left.
Their joy was shortlived, however, as Schweinsteiger rifled home a knockdown from substitute Mario Mandzukic to bring the atmosphere at Old Trafford down a notch.
While Guardiola's men were unable to clinch a second away goal, they will remain heavy favourites to progress, although Moyes can take heart from the recent performances of Premier League rivals Manchester City and Arsenal at the Allianz Arena.
City won 3-2 in Munich in this season's group stage while Arsenal have picked up a draw and a win on their last two visits to Bavaria.
Moyes: Manchester United have a 'fighting chance' of beating Bayern
By Jamie Dunn
Apr 1, 2014 10:27:00 PM
Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the equaliser and away goal for Bayern to cancel out Nemanja Vidic's opener, but the Scot is optimistic ahead of the quarter-final second leg
David Moyes believes Manchester United have a 'fighting chance' of eliminating Bayern Munich from the Champions League after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
The hosts took the lead in the second half as Nemanja Vidic headed beyond Manuel Neuer unchallenged, before Bastian Schweinsteiger responded with an excellent half-volley.
The result leaves Bayern with an away-goal advantage heading into the quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Arena, but Moyes is confident his side can still progress to the semi-finals.
"We know we've got to score a goal," he told ITV Sport. "At the moment if the score stays the same, Bayern are through. We've got to do something about it.
"I think tonight we said that we wanted to go into the next leg with a real chance - a fighting chance - I think we've done that.
"We've given ourselves a great opportunity to try to go to Munich and get a victory."
Moyes also said referee Carlos Velasco got two crucial decisions correct, first deciding not to show Antonio Valencia a red card, before dismissing Bastian Schweinsteiger with a second yellow for a foul on Wayne Rooney, ruling the Germany international out of the second leg.
He added: "I've had a look at them both. The boy [Alaba] tackles the ball on to Antonio Valencia, they both make a tackle, they get up, he gets there first.
"I think if anything it's just Antonio's follow through, but it wasn't given.
"I think Schweinsteiger trips Wayne up so I think it looks like a booking or if not it's at least a foul."
Atletico Madrid lose Diego Costa to injury against Barcelona
By Miles Chambers
Apr 1, 2014 8:18:00 PM
The striker was a doubt going into the European encounter and lasted less than 30 minutes at Camp Nou, while the hosts also saw Gerard Pique forced off
Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa picked up a hamstring injury midway through the first half of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Barcelona.
The 25-year-old, who has never scored against the Catalans, was a major doubt going into the quarter-final tie with an unspecified problem but Rojiblancos coach Diego Simeone named the forward in his starting XI for the first-leg clash at Camp Nou.
However, that decision backfired in the 27th minute when Costa pulled up in obvious discomfort. Although Simeone seemed to try to convince his player to play through the pain, immediate medical treatment was unsuccessful and team-mate Diego Ribas replaced the Spain international with a third of the game gone.
Atletico confirmed in a statement on their Twitter account: "Diego Costa suffered a hamstring muscle injury in his right thigh."
It is currently unclear how long Costa will be out of action for but he is already a major doubt for the second leg at the Vicente Calderon in a weeks' time.
Meanwhile, Barcelona were forced to withdraw centre-back Gerard Pique 15 minutes into the game against Atletico.
The Blaugrana later revealed that the defender, who was replaced by Marc Bartra, had taken "a knock to the pelvis".
The FCB boss hailed David Moyes' men after a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final
Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester United as “one of the best teams in the world” after watching his all-conquering Bayern Munich side struggle to break the Premier League titleholders down at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
The reigning European champions went into the tie as overwhelming favourites yet found themselves in a spot of bother when Nemanja Vidic headed the hosts into a 58-minute lead.
United’s advantage lasted a mere nine minutes before Bastian Schweinsteiger levelled with a crisp half-volley although his night ended in disappointment after he picked up a second yellow card for a trip on Wayne Rooney.
Guardiola cut a spiky figure in his post-match interviews but insisted he was happy with the 1-1 draw.
He told Sky: “I am pretty satisfied. Man United is one of the best teams in the world.
“We have scored an away goal which is important, but we also got lucky that the efforts from (Danny) Welbeck and Rooney didn't go in.
“The goal we conceded was difficult to defend. It's never easy to play against a team which defends so deeply. We will see if we can find some solutions for the match in Munich.
"It's always dangerous when you go into the second leg with a 1-1 draw, but even a 2-1 victory would have been dangerous for us. We will try to win the second leg and I am sure we can do it.
“I have full confidence in my players and hope the fans in Munich will push us like the United supporters did for their team today.”
Bayern enjoyed 70 per cent possession but struggled to find a way past a well-marshalled United rearguard.
Midfielder Toni Kroos said: “It was a difficult match. We dominated the whole time, as expected, but United fought very well. They defended with almost everybody and conceded very few chances.
“Nevertheless they were sometimes dangerous on the break. We knew that they would play like this.
“We deserved the equaliser. We tried everything but we could not create as many chances as we are used to. The result is okay, we still have all the options for the second leg.
“It was disrespectful to talk about a walkover beforehand, it is still a Champions League quarter-final.”
The Bavarians were held at Old Trafford but the winger insisted that the Red Devils were never going to be easy pickings, despite their poor form in the Premier League
Arjen Robben insists Bayern Munich are happy with a 1-1 draw from the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester United.
Nemanja Vidic opened the scoring just before the hour mark at Old Trafford but Bastian Schweinsteiger volleyed home soon after to secure the visitors a precious away goal, though the midfielder was subsequently sent off, thus ruling him out of next week's second leg in Bavaria.
Bayern had only failed to win two of their previous 2014 competitive clashes going into the game but Robben is not concerned that the team failed to sweep aside the Red Devils, who are currently seventh in the Premier League.
"In the end, we can be satisfied with the 1-1," the Dutchman told NOS. "At least it's better then 0-0. We scored an away goal, so that's a positive thing.
"I didn't like it that people from outside underestimated United. The media were talking about them as though they would be easy to beat. I mean, after all you're playing against United at Old Trafford.
"Of course they're struggling in the Premier League, but that doesn't count on an evening like this. I expect a same kind of match next week.
"We have to move the ball quickly and find the space. We didn't create many major chances, but we're satisfied with 1-1. Next week we have to give it our best again."
Pep Guardiola's helped guide Bayern to a second consecutive Bundesliga title already this season and, with the DFB-Pokal and Champions League still in the club's sights, Robben hailed the coach's impact since arriving last summer.
"It's great privilege to have him with us, he has great influence on our work," the winger added to Mediaset Premium. "He's giving us decisive assistance for the conquest of trophies."
Man Utd will hope to replicate or better Tuesday's result when they travel to the Allianz Arena for the return leg next Wednesday in a bid to reach the last four of the European competition.
Martino: I've failed if Barcelona lose to Atletico
By Miles Chambers
Apr 2, 2014 12:08:00 AM
The Argentine was delighted with his team's intensity at Camp Nou and has confidence that they can can follow up the 1-1 draw with a win, despite potentially being underdogs
Gerardo Martino believes that it would represent personal failure on his part if Barcelona bow out of the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid.
The Catalans failed to conquer the Rojiblancos for the fourth time this campaign on Tuesday, drawing 1-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at Camp Nou, with Neymar having cancelled out Diego Ribas' incredible opener.
Martino was far from concerned by his side's performance, though, and was is an optimistic mood ahead of the return leg at the Vicente Calderon next Wednesday.
"To not reach the semi-finals would be failure on my behalf," Martino told TVE after the match.
"We deserved more out of the first leg, but it fills me with confidence considering how we played. We showed intensity for 90 minutes.
"There's no doom and gloom, just satisfaction. Atletico's only chance aside from their goal came from a bad distribution from Jose Pinto early in the game.
"But Diego's goal even made me want to cry out, it was such a golazo."
Martino suggested that Atletico are now slight favourites heading into the second leg due to their home advantage but that his team will go through if they can replicate their first-leg showing.
"The tie is very even," the Argentine added. "I do not know if the fact that them playing at home counts for something but, again, everything is very close.
"The 1-1 result favours them and puts us slightly below but our performance gives me peace of mind. If we can continue like this then we will win."
