UCL Quarter-Finals: PSG, Real Madrid March Coast Home to Victory
By Oladunjoye Opeyemi
Real Madrid eased towards a fourth consecutive UEFA Champions League semi-final as Cristiano Ronaldo equalled another goalscoring record in their 3-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at the Bernabeu.
Looking to avenge their last-four defeat at the hands of the Germans last season, the Spanish giants were ahead within three minutes when Gareth Bale poked home from Dani Carvajal’s pass.
Isco doubled Real’s lead after 27 minutes as his low shot from the edge of the area curled into the bottom corner. Ronaldo then scored his 14th Champions League goal of the campaign to match the competition’s record mark for goals in a season, set by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi two years ago.
However, Real’s night was soured somewhat as Ronaldo had to be substituted in the 80th minute due to what appeared to be a minor knee injury. Madrid had also suffered a disruption just before the game as Angel di Maria was ruled out with gastroenteritis, but they didn’t miss a beat without the Argentinian as his replacement Isco pulled the strings in midfield and they started with great intensity.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has however, played down Ronaldo’s leg problem, saying it was just a niggle, while also affirming that they would not take any chances with the Portuguese international, suggesting that the forward might be rested against Sociedad over the weekend if need be.
In the other UCL match of the night, Chelsea’s hopes of advancing from the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals were left hanging by a thread after Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 3-1 first-leg win at the Parc des Princes.
Eden Hazard’s penalty had given the Blues a potentially vital away goal, but Javier Pastore’s brilliant stoppage-time solo effort, added to an earlier strike from Ezequiel Lavezzi and a David Luiz own-goal, will see PSG take a two-goal advantage into next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea, the 2012 European champions, were looking to book their place in a seventh semi-final in 11 campaigns, but started without a recognised striker. With Samuel Eto’o injured, Jose Mourinho selected Andre Schurrle as a ‘false nine’, appearing to finally lose patience with Fernando Torres.
PSG, unbeaten in their previous 28 European home games, began with a bang and took a fourth-minute lead when Lavezzi fired into the roof of the net after a poor headed clearance from John Terry.
Chelsea equalised before the interval when Hazard – courted by PSG – converted a penalty after Oscar was fouled by Thiago Silva. Hazard also hit the post before half-time, and PSG were denied a spot-kick when Cavani turmbled under Gary Cahill’s aerial challenge.
Torres replaced Schurrle after 60 minutes, but no sooner had he joined the action than Chelsea were behind again as Lavezzi’s free-kick was swung in menacingly and bundled into the net by David Luiz.
Ibrahimovic, still chasing a first Champions League triumph, departed clutching his right hamstring with more than 20 minutes remaining. However, Pastore ensured the night – and potentially the tie – would end in PSG’s favour, beating Petr Cech at his near post after a mazy run.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc said he was concerned after Ibrahimovic came off injured in Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Chelsea.
“It’s a muscular problem. He will see the doctor tomorrow (Thursday),” confirmed Blanc, who immediately decided to replace the striker with Brazilian winger Lucas. “He wanted to continue but I thought honestly that it wasn’t reasonable. I hope he comes back as soon as possible because we need him.”
Ibrahimovic, who has scored a club record-breaking 40 goals in all competitions this season, including ten in the Champions League, faces a race against time to be fit for the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday.
