Real Madrid, PSG Gain Substantial Advantage In Champions League While Honors Are Even Elsewhere

Full round-up and analysis from the first-legs of the Champions League 2013/14 Quarter-Finals. Four matches contested on Tuesday 1 April and Wednesday 2 April 2014 were Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich, Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid vs. Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain vs. Chelsea. 
Football

BY NISAR KHAN

While PSG and Real Madrid got much closer to the semi-finals, it was in contrast to the other two games in the first-legs of the Champions League Quarter-Finals. Here is the full recap and analysis from all the games.

All four matches were contested on Tuesday 1 April or Wednesday 2 April 2014, in the first-legs of the Champions League Quarter-Finals. The second-legs are scheduled for next week.

There was no shortage of mouthwatering ties in summit of European football. Paris Saint-Germain entertained Chelsea at Parc Des Princes while Bayern Munich and Manchester United drew level in a fiery clash at Old Trafford. There was also a stunner in Barcelona's game with Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid faced Dortmund in a rematch from last year's Semi-Final.

This article contains all you need to know about what happened in the games with recaps, analysis and more.

Manchester United 1 - 1 Bayern Munich
Schweinsteiger Sent Off As United Hold Bayern

Goalscorers: Nemanja Vidic (58'), Bastian Schweinsteiger (66')
Kick-Off: Tuesday 1 April 2014 at 19:45 (BST)
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, UK.
Man of the Match: Nemanja Vidic
Attendance: 75,199
Possession: Manchester United 26%, Bayern Munich 74%

Bastian Schweinsteiger cancelled out Nemanja Vidic's second-half header before being sent off as the Red Devils held out an onslaught from the German Champions.

Skipper Nemanja Vidic scored the opener for Manchester United ESPN

Danny Welbeck made the net bulge early on, though disallowed as the referee called it off for a high-kick. It was one of two rare chances in the second half, including Danny Welbeck going one-on-one with Manuel Neuer, only for his chipped attempt to be emphatically denied by the young keeper. 

Although they had those chances, it was undoubtedly an intense first-half onslaught from Bayern. Dictated throughout, Bayern comfortably controlled the game. However, manager Pep Guardiola was clear in frustration as his players lacked the final product to really threaten the hosts' goal. 

With merely 26% possession, the lowest recorded by a home team in this Champions League campaign, Manchester United were lucky, on paper, to still be on level terms. That would change in less than fifteen minutes after the break, as their skipper Nemanja Vidic headed home for the opener. 

The centre-half - who is likely to leave the club in the Summer - was unmarked, and running away from goal, managed to get a head on towards goal and put his side int he lead. 

That would come as a trigger for Bayern Munich's attacking prominence, with sudden liveliness being injected around the pitch. Thomas Manduzkic was introduced in replacement for Thomas Muller and would ultimately be the creator of the equalise just nine minutes after.

Bastian Schweinsteiger turned a shot high into goal past De Gea, headed on by the striker Manduzkic, after Rafinha's cross. All of a sudden, Bayern were threatening and Arjen Robben came close to taking the lead in close proximity, with his low shot insufficient to beat the Spaniard De Gea. 

Perhaps the most controversial moment of the matchday came when Bayern's goalscorer received a second booking, resulting in a sending-off. A foul on Wayne Rooney, who many claimed was a dive, saw the German midfielder get dismissed for the game. To add to the absentees for the second-leg, a booking for Javi Martinez ruled him out of their return fixture with Manchester United at the Allianz Arena. 

Bayern Munich take a vital away goal on their journey to the Allianz, where its likely to be a much tougher outing for Manchester United.

Analysis & Comment

Most football fans, pundits and watchers of the game were quick to dismiss Manchester United from Semi-Final qualification - and their predictions half-ensued during the first half, although Bayern Munich were lacking the one thing that made them dominant German champions, attacking threats.  

With the absence of key players Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger, it may come to Manchester United's disadvantage. But, considering Bayern's vast depth, it shouldn't hinder them too much.

The key going into the second-leg will be the away goal. Bayern losing at their home is highly unlikely, so Manchester United already face an uphill battle. With that being said, United could go all-out and push Bayern on the backfoot, with the risk of being decimated on the counter. 

Manchester United will be much more satisfied out of most of the clubs in the Quarter-Finals, as they remain well and truly in the tie. 

Barcelona 1 - 1 Atletico Madrid
Title Challengers Atletico and Barca Draw Again, Diego Scores Stunner

Goalscorers: Diego (56'), Neymar (71')
Kick-Off: Tuesday 2 April 2014 at 19:45pm (BST)
Location: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain.
Man of the Match: Andres Iniesta
Attendance: 79,941

Diego scored a stunner to give Atletico Madrid an away-goal advantage after a pulsating draw with Barcelona at the Nou Camp.



Barcelona suffered an early, unexpected setback in the thirteenth minute as Pique suffered a back injury after he tumbled heavily to the ground following a collision with star-striker Diego Costa, who would suffer a hamstring injury later on in the game and had to be subbed off.

With the game going in their favor, Atletico Madrid were dealt a big blow as Diego Costa was subbed off with an injury. 

Diego scored a phenomenal strike to give his side the lead. The Nou Camp was left stunned and gobsmacked as Pinto was beaten at the near post when Diego picked the ball up and struck it from a great distance. 

A stunned Barcelona would wait fifteen minutes for the equalizer as they found their passing and further jeopardized Courtois' goal. Some quality passing would result in Neymar equalizing in the 71st minute with a pass that cut the defence up and put the Brazilian through to curl home.

Analysis & Comment

Yet again, these teams are even. Yet again, there is some quality football between these teams.

Diego's goal was just incredible. A delightful goal from the Atletico Madrid man to completely silence the Nou Camp, and more importantly be a great advantage with the away goal and now awaiting Barca's visit to the Vicente Calderon.

As for Barcelona's goal it was some fantastic magic in their passing to set it up. Andres Iniesta was probing potential passes like that throughout the game, and this ultimately would draw the honors even, for this time at least.

Real Madrid 3 - 0 Dortmund
Madrid Dominate Dortmund At Bernabeu To Put Semi-Finals Within Fingertips

Goalscorers: Gareth Bale (3'), Isco (27'), Cristiano Ronaldo (57')
Kick-Off: Wednesday 2 April 2014 at 19:45 BST
Location: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.
Man of the Match: Cristiano Ronaldo
Attendance: 70,089
Possession: Real Madrid 61%, Dortmund 39%

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo both scored as Real Madrid eased past Dortmund to avenge their semi-final knockout to the German side.

Isco scored the second MARCA

It was the perfect start for the hosts as Gareth Bale knocked it past within three minutes to set up for the rout.

Isco would add to the tally prior to the interval as he drilled it low from the edge of the box.

Before the hour mark, Cristiano Ronaldo was able to get past Dortmund's keeper Weidenfeller for an easy slot-in.

Real Madrid eased past Dortmund and set up a healthy advantage going into their away tie. A superb performance.

Analysis & Comment

Real Madrid could very well be the favorites. Although results haven't went their way in the La Liga, with losses to Barcelona and Sevilla consecutively, they have been running rampant in the Champions League, and dispatching Dortmund in their manner strengthens their case. 

The early goal at the Bernabeu proved the difference as they controlled from then-on-in with an outstanding performance in front of an eager home crowd.

Paris Saint-Germain 3 - 1 Chelsea
PSG Propel Into Semi-Final Likelihood After Second Half Runaway

Goalscorers: Ezequiel Lavezzi (3'), Eden Hazard (27' penalty), David Luiz (61' own goal), Javier Pastore (90')
Kick-Off: Wednesday 2 April 2014 at 19:45 BST
Location: Parc des Princes, Paris, France.
Man of the Match: Ezequiel Lavezzi
Attendance: 45,517

Paris Saint-Germain dispatched Mourinho's Chelsea as they broke away in the second half to jeopardise Chelsea's semi-final hopes.

Lavezzi scored within three minutes GETTY

Merely three minutes into the game and the hosts took the lead as Lavezzi controlled the ball perfectly when it was headed from goal, chesting it then hitting it on the half-volley and put his side ahead impressively.

Thiago Silva was penalized for a foul on Oscar in the box and it was a clear penalty. Eden Hazard would step up to level the game with a class penalty to the bottom corner before Chelsea controlled the remainder of the half.

An own goal after a troubling free kick into the box would force an own goal from David Luiz in a failed attempt to clear the ball off the line. It came as a demoralizing blow for the visitors, who seemed to succumb to the pressure.

There were worries though too for PSG fans as Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered an injury around the hamstring area. PSG wouldn't suffer in his absence, as Javier Pastore skillled past defenders and beat Cech at the near post in the 90th minute.

Analysis & Comment

What a great performance by PSG, could we see Mourinho really out of his comfort zone here? 

With the answer pretty much yes, it will be interesting to see how Chelsea react at Stamford Bridge.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's injury was one of three to key players in the two days of Champions League action, as Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa went off. These could have a big impact, though not as much for PSG and Real Madrid, who are comfortably in front for now.

PSG's defence was superb, but at times their attack seemed to be lacking the desire needed for the Champions League caliber football.

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That's four games and four first legs of the Quarter Final phase. While Real Madrid and Parsi Saint-Germain are looking likely to progress, its still all to play for between Bayern and Manchester United along with Barcelona and Atletico.

Some great goals but Diego's tops the lot. Fantastic class with Pastore's late finish to further sink Chelsea.

Injuries to Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Diego Costa could have big costs, but only time will tell.

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