Had TSV Bayer04 Leverkusen followed Osasuna’s last weekend script, who knows what would have befallen the mighty giants from Catalunya. With the lower cadre teams shredding Barcelona’s respect in the Catalans’ away matches in the La Liga, Leverkusen would have been expected to aim for the jugular. But no, they succumbed to the continental folly of showing too much respect to Pep Guardiola’s side.
A brace from summer signing Alexis Sanchez and a Lionel Messi goal took the wind out of the Werkself (Factory Squad), to put Barca one foot into the quarters of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory at the BayArena. But for all their possession in the first half, the Blaugrana’s first shot on target came in the 41st minute when the Chilean scored after receiving a sublime floated ball from Messi.
The Germans had defended really well, more of frustrating the Spanish side, but did not mount a serious challenge upfront. It’s like they were content with stopping Barcelona’s tikka-takka football. In the second half they were positive, and restored parity through Michal Kadlec’s header, only for Sanchez to deliver a hammer blow within three minutes.
The Little Flea would then provide the icing on the cake after directing Dani Alves’ cross into the net, to give the Spanish side a huge advantage going into the second leg at Camp Nou in three weeks’ time. It sounds like a death knell for Bayer, as we all know how intimidating Camp Nou can get.
Tonight, do not forget to join Arsenal as they take on AC Milan seeking a repeat of the 2-0 win over the Italians four years ago. Today marks the beginning of a series of incredible matchups for the Gunners; once done with the Rossoneri, they meet Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland in the FA Cup this weekend, before a showdown with their North London archrivals, Tottenham Hotspurs.
It won’t be over for Monsieur Wenger’s men, as they’ll have to go through the murky waters that are Liverpool and a return leg against AC Milan, as finish it off with fixtures against Newcastle United and Everton. Do the Gunners have what it takes to come out tops? It all begins tonight live on SuperSport3 and KissTV from 10:45pm local time.
Results 14th February
Bayer Leverkusen 1-3 Barcelona, Bay Arena
Olympique Lyon 1-0 APOEL Nicosia
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