Champions League Results Feb 24th
A Summary of Round of 16 First Leg Ties
Arsenal 1-0 AS Roma
AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti admitted that he underestimated Arsenal’s ability and craft after the Gunners strolled out 1-0 winners in the opening leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Robin van Persie was on target for Arsenal who wasted numerous chances to bury the tie. Most notably Nicklas Bendtner and Emmanuel Eboue missed good chances, while Roma’s goalkeeper Doni made great stops to deny Abou Diaby and others.
Arsenal dominated from the early exchanges, limiting Roma’s ambitions until the match was over an hour old. Roma did make some hay late on, but never seriously threatened Manuel Almunia’s goal.
Roma will be without Gabriele de Rossi for the second leg due to suspension, and the Italians are lucky to have Phillipe Mexes available after his tackle from behind on van Persie which led to the penalty.
Internazionale 0-0 Manchester United
A goalless draw at the San Siro gives United the edge heading home. Both managers exchanged barbs before kickoff, as they are certainly not unfamiliar doing from Jose Mourinho’s days at Chelsea in England.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s United will rue the lack of a vital away goal, but have an incredible home record in the competition and should be favoured.
The defending champions dominated much of the match in Italy, keeping Inter on the back foot as early as four minutes in when Cristiano Ronald’s header was well saved. Ryan Giggs also missed a glorious chance, while the hosts were unlucky not to get a goal of their own through Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Lyon 1-1 Barcelona
Frenchman Thierry Henry fired Barcelona into an advantage heading into the second leg, leaving a distraught Lyon side to wonder what might have been.
These two teams are very familiar Champions League foes and have waged many epic battles in years past. While this tie doesn’t quite live up to seasons past, the two teams not necessarily known for their defensive prowess once again exchanged blows.
Karim Benzema put Lyon up 1-0, but Henry had a reply near the death and now Lyon must get a result at Barca to lock up a spot in the Quarterfinals
Atletico Madrid 2-2 FC Porto
Madrid’s forgotten other squad didn’t exactly do the city’s chances of progression in the Champion’s League much good, allowing two away goals in a draw on Tuesday.
Madrid led 2-1 at the half through Maxi Rodriguez and Diego Forlan, the latter’s goal coming somewhat fortuitously, as his long range shot somehow went through Porto keeper Helton.
But as he has been all season, Lisandro Lopez was on song for the Portuguese side, scoring in both halves to earn a share of the spoils and an advantage heading home.
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