Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Halftime score 0-0, Plenty of chances but no goals
It’s scoreless at halftime at the Camp Nou as both Barcelona and PSG have had their chances to claim the match’s opening goal but neither has been able to capitalize.
There's been lots of energy and lots of chances, but no goals in the opening half at the Camp Nou between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. PSG definitely had the better chances and looked fully capable of winning this match, but they'll have to find a way to connect on one of the opportunities in the second half.
Barcelona nearly opened the scoring in the 2nd minute after Cesc Fabregas was hacked down by Marco Verratti, earning a set piece just outside the PSG area. Xavi Hernandez's free kick was ever so close, going just wide of the post and ending hitting the net from behind causing many in the stadium to believe it had gone in.
PSG showed they have every intention of testing Barca's back line in the 4th minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic moved the ball forward to Ezequiel Lavezzi on the run in towards the goal. Lavezzi stumbled slightly allowing Gerard Piqueé to recover and tackle the ball away to Victor Valdés.
Lucas Moura missed an excellent chance in the 18th minute after receiving the ball in a pocket of space thanks to a nice touch on from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 20-year-old Brazilian’s shot was wild though, sailing over the crossbar.
Pedro Rodriguez made a nusiance of himself in the 21st minute forcing a parry save by Salvatore Sirigu on a low cros in from the left. The loose ball was cleared right back to Pedro whose shot went into the side netting.
PSG got their best chance of the game so far in the 24th minute after Zlatan found Ezequiel Lavezzi on the run into the Barca area. Adriano was right on Lavezzi’s hip but the striker still got a shot off that forced a nice save from Victor Valdés.
Valdés was called into action again in the 26th minute, denying Moura’s header off a brilliant cross from Zlatan on the left side.
Great chance in the 38th minute for Barca when Pedro found David Villa lurking centrally at the top of the PSG area. Villa beat Thiago Silva who bit on the Spaniard's initial move and dribbled to the left, but his shot was terrible flying well off target and over the goal.
There are 45 minutes left to play in Spain, and if this result holds it will be Barcelona who move on to the semifinals on away goals. Considering they haven’t looked at that great, they’ll likely be pleased with that fact.
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