FC Barcelona and Arsenal suffered respectively against Naples (2-1) and especially Porto (1-0; tab 4-2), but managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League this Wednesday, March 12 . A nice return after years of absence for both clubs.
2 mins
It’s been four years – an eternity – since FC Barcelona last played in a Champions League quarter-final. But nothing to do with the scarcity of Arsenal which had been waiting for this moment since 2010. On Wednesday, the Barcelona club and that of London finally validated their return to the European big eight, at the end of two matches fought to the end in the suspense.
FC Barcelona defeated Naples (2-1) and certainly did not expect to suffer so much against the reigning Italian champions. Especially after the draw in the first leg (1-1) and a two-goal lead in the return after less than 20 minutes of play. Fermin Lopez (15th) and Cancelo (17th) indeed very early put the Blaugranas into orbit who had everything to spend a quiet evening. But Amir Rrahmani’s equalizer (30th) would put Barça within reach of the Neapolitans. Di Lorenzo (35th), Kvaratskhelia (47th), and Victor Osimhen (who could have benefited from a penalty) had the opportunities to upset the reigning Spanish champion. Until Robert Lewandowski ended the suspense by scoring the break goal in the last minutes of the match (83rd).
Arsenal go to penalties
For Arsenal, qualification was much more complicated; the London club had to wait for penalties to overcome the Portuguese “Dragons”, who showed impressive resistance. Beaten (0-1) in the first leg in the last seconds in Porto, the Gunners had to catch up to hope to continue the adventure. But Mikel Arteta and his men probably did not expect so much resistance from Sergio Conceição’s men. If the English managed to equalize over the two matches (1-1) after a goal from Trossard on a brilliant inspiration from Martin Odegaard (41st), the Gunners stumbled for a long time against an intractable defense led by the unisable Pepe (41 years old). We therefore had to wait for the penalties to see the Portuguese fold with the failures of Wendel and Galeno or the two saves by Raya.
Arsenal, current leader of the Premier League, joins the quarter-finals, after Manchester City last week. Just like FC Barcelona has now joined Real Madrid, already announcing a tough field for the spring of the Champions League this season.