A repeat of Barcelona's 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain, which was enough to start to see the Blaugrana qualify for their sixth successive UEFA Champions League semi-final FC Barcelona might have left it late, but as a result of Pedro Rodrigueza 71st minute equaliser, the Blaugrana progressed to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for a sixth consecutive time. Paris Saint-Germain were positioned to remove BarAa after Javier Pastoreas strike put Carlo Ancelottias team ahead on 50 minutes, but with Lionel Messi entering the motion after the hour-mark, Barcelona pushed forward looking for an equaliser, and eventually Pedroas goal was richly deserved. All things considered, given the officiating in the first-leg, few will claim that the Blaugrana didnat deserve to progress. Barcelona PSG Control 63% 37% Full Photographs 23 16 Images on Target 2 8 Pass Accuracy 89% 76% Fouls 11 16 Offsides 2 5 Yellow Cards 1 3 Red Cards 0 0 Lionel Messi might have rejoined education recently, but the Argentine superstar was forced to settle for a spot on the table as Tito Vilanova elected to help keep Cesc FAbregas in the centre of attack. FAbregas was joined upfront by David Villa and Pedro, who a' along side Adriano a started on his get back from injury. Changes were made just two by paris Saint-Germain on the other hand to the XI that started last 2-2 draw to weekas, as Blaise Matuidi and David Beckham slipped out of beginning line-up meaning that Italian pair, Thiago Motta and Marco Verratti got to be able to shine on Spanish soil. Might Barcelona defeat Messias small injury and book their invest the semi-finals, or might PSG surprise the world with a gain at the Camp Nou? Of course, here is the first time in nigh-on twenty years that Paris Saint-Germain reach the quarter-finals and as a result, nerves were to be expected. The Camp Nou isnat the loudest arena in Europe, but itas a daunting place to visit, especially when you get Barcelonaas house history under consideration. The Blaugrana know how to grow opposite defenses, how to make use of each and every inch of the Camp Nou area to their advantage; they know just what they should do to secure their devote another round. So, you could eliminate some of the PSG people for his or her begin to the game. In particular, Marco Verratti. The Italian was left on the counter for the initial meeting involving the two sides as Carlo Ancelotti decided for the knowledge of David Beckham. For probably the most part, it exercised well for the Parisians; why change it? Ancelotti could have asked himself the exact same problem as within a second, Verratti had fouled Cesc FAbregas, giving the hosts with a in a dangerous position. In the absence of Lionel Messi, Barcelonaas captain for the night, Xavi, fancied his chances a and he very nearly shipped, coming within inches of Salvatore Siriguas near-post with an outstanding curling energy. It'd have already been a dream start for the Blaugrana, who were obviously not contenting themselves with their away targets "lead." And who would have? With Adriano completing at centre-half, Barcelonaas protection was perhaps at the poorest it had been all season; we all knew that PSG would build possibilities as a result. The first "chance" of the evening for the visitors dropped to Ezequiel Lavezzi, as the visitors appeared to identify their counter-attacking risk, but his shot was blazed by the Argentine over the bar wasting a perfectly good opportunity to put PSG in the cause. Maybe Lavezzi was feeling a little worried, even perhaps anxious after last weekas 2-2 draw in which he was the initial PSG player to be substituted? Lavezzi also had yet another opportunity to get rid just moments later, but he was crushed to the ball by Gerard PiquA a' who is barely renowned for his athleticism. BarAaas defense wasnat providing much resistance, but be that as it may, PSG were fighting to make the most. As per normal, Barcelona were retaining the majority of control, although it was frighteningly obvious which they were missing their top-scorer. Without Lionel Messi, the onus fell on AndrAs Iniesta to do something while the "livewire" in the BarAa attack a and while itas a task that Iniesta performs well, thereas no replacement Messi. Iniesta was able to dance past defenders and feed his teammates with good moves, but he wasnat able to have his shots off at goal in exactly the same manner that Messi can. Therefore, even though Barcelona had mustered 11 pictures within just half-an-hour, they were yet to drive Sirigu into action as both Thiago Silva and Alex threw themselves at each BarAa test. And as the Barcelona shots were blocked by them, possession, ready was gained by PSG to take the game to the Blaugrana on the counter-attack. The Camp Nou was getting nervous. Apart from Xavias free-kick in the gameas opening stages, many the probabilities were being created at the wrong end and if not for Victor ValdAs, Barcelona could have certainly fallen behind. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the founder, threading a good through ball after dark BarAa security to get the run of Lavezzi; however the Argentine again couldnat capitalise. Needless to say, he isnat your normal centre-forward, but he knew he needs to have done better as his shot was directed right at ValdAs. Lucas Moura nearly atoned for his colleagueas miss having an outstanding header at the far post after another outstanding pass from Ibra but the Brazilian prodigy was also denied by ValdAs. Even though his safety wasnat up to the task, ValdAs was determined to keep his staff in this link. Paris Saint-Germain continued to press forward searching for an opener, they obviously needed an objective to advance to the semi-finals; around we considered if Messi should make an, it was worth remembering that all the pressure was on PSG. They might not have already been likely to progress at BarAaas price, nevertheless the only force on Barcelona was that they couldnat afford to lose. So, despite PSGas comparative dominance, Barcelona will need to have been content headed to the half-time interval; because it stood, the Blaugrana were just 45 minutes from developing for their sixth effective semi-final. Neither director made a change at the break, and therefore, it didnat take long for PSG to grab exactly where they left off in the first-half a' creating possibilities in abundance, though now, they wouldnat be therefore inefficient before goal. And genuinely, a goal was coming; Lavezzi can and probably should have transformed one of is own chances in the first-half, while Lucas also went close. All over again, it was the PSG counter-attack that was causing Barcelona issues as Javier Pastore changed a with Ibrahimovic, surging away from Alves in the process. Despite his most useful efforts, the Brazilian couldnat recover with time, and Pastore held his composure to position the ball past Victor ValdAs at the near-post and provide PSG the lead. Barcelona were now 40 minutes from crashing out of the UEFA Champions League. Lionel Messi instantly prepared himself; despite an injury, he appeared to be the only real player effective at turning this game round in BarAaas favour. Without him on the field, the attack seemed almost lost; and without an, our defensive frailties would surely prove to be our problem. But before the fray could be entered by Messi, Adriano could decrease clutching his leg; even this makeshift safety couldnat remain healthy. Marc Bartra was the substitute, and finally, with significantly less than a to weave his magic, Messi joined the action. Quickly, the group grew in confidence. They might have created close to nothing without Leo on the subject, but now he was on, effectively, it was nearly like they remembered what they'd to do. Players were going off the ball, the speed grew up in the last third and for the first-time in the fit, PSG were pushed back into their very own area. Gerard PiquA forced yet another excellent stop from Alex, and while Messi can only come near to capitalising on the loose ball, Iniesta followed it up with a go of his or her own, which was also blocked. The pressure was making, and with Messi on the field, the Camp Nou audience considered. They knew their part would definitely turn this tie around. And of course, Lionel Messi will be at the forefront of the demand, offering David Villa within the PSG region, and instead of taking the possibility on himself, Villa teed up Pedro with a superb back-heel; there is only ever going to one outcome. Pedro rifled the ball across Sirigu, to the far corner of the internet, ergo closing out Pastoreas opener. With significantly less than 20 minutes outstanding, Barcelona were yet again positioned to progress to the semi-finals courtesy of the away goals judgment. Maybe it was Messias sheer existence, or maybe it was down seriously to Marc Bartra, but Barcelonaas protection was also looking a lot more comfortable. It helped that PSG were running out of stamina a they couldnat spring away with the exact same power and speed that they did in the opening hour of the match a' long lasting reason, it was actually BarAa who seemed more prone to score an additional. PSG built more and more errors because they frantically pressed Barcelona in search of the ball a' Thiago Silva found a card, Lavezzi used match and even Beckham was cautioned, for fighting with the referee. Barcelonaas knowledge was apparent too; they took their time over every dead-ball, everything they could consider that would wind the clock down. It may have been tight, it may have needed a brave cameo from Lionel Messi, but Barcelona were through the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the sixth consecutive time the place where a link with both Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund or Bayern Munich awaits. Next up, Barcelona go La Romareda to manage Real Zaragoza, though be sure to register before then for more investigation of tonightas match, and of course protection of Fridayas Champions League semi-final pull. Until then, Visca el BarAa! Follow us on Twitter
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