Arsenal vs Barcelona Highlights: Champions League(31.03.2010)

Cesc Fabregas kept Arsenal’s European dream alive after the Gunners came back from 2-0 down to draw the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona at Emirates Stadium.

The Spaniards had lived up to their billing as favourites following a blistering start and a second-half double from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who looked to have all but killed off the tie.

However, Theo Walcott came off the bench to pull a goal back before Fabregas who will miss the second leg at his old club after being booked smashed in a late penalty after Carles Puyol was sent off for fouling the midfielder in the box.

While Barcelona will still be favourites to progress, Arsene Wenger’s young side again showed great character and yet have a slim chance to prove their doubters wrong with a similarly courageous display in the Nou Camp.

Highlights:

Arsenal vs Barcelona Champions league Preview Video

Arsenal will wait until the last possible moment to asses the fitness of their skipper Fabregas for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final showdown with holders Barcelona.

Fabregas suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham on Saturday which has kept him out of training and manager Arsene Wenger is due to wait until Wednesday night’s warm-up, before making a decision. The Spain international’s expected fitness test in front of the early arrivals at Emirates Stadium will serve as an intriguing prelude to what promises to be an exciting contest between two exponents of the beautiful game.

Fabregas moved to the North London club from the Catalan giants as a teenager, blossoming into an outstanding talent under Wenger’s wings and has frequently been linked with a return to Camp Nou, although the midfielder denies any such thing.

The last-eight clash is a repeat of the 2006 epic final, when the Spanish side came back from a goal down with two late strikes to triumph over the 10-man Gunners, who had goalkeeper Jens Lehmann sent off when the scores were locked at 0-0.

Gunners legend Thierry Henry missed several chances to steal an improbable victory for Wenger’s men in that match after Sol Campbell had headed them in front, and, having moved to Barca just over 12 months later, has confessed he did not want to face Arsenal at this stage of the competition.

Apart from the uncertainty in Fabregas fitness and record Arsenal goalscorer Henry’s return to Emirates, there is the small matter of how the Gunners will cope with the supreme talents of the World player of the year Lionel Messi.

Messi is enjoying another sensational season under Pep Guardiola as Barca look to defend the trophy they lifted with victory over Manchester United in Rome in May, in which the diminutive genius headed home his side’s second goal.

Arsenal will be happy to welcome centre-back William Gallas’ return to training after eight games on the sidelines with a calf injury.

The France international has been named in the squad and could partner Thomas Vermaelen if Wenger elects to take veteran Campbell out of the firing line.

Barcelona have their own injury worries with the influential Andres Iniesta ruled out after suffering a thigh injury in the Liga victory over Real Mallorca at the weekend.

However, Guardiola has Eric Abidal available for the first time since early February following his groin problem and Gerard Pique is due to return after missing the last few games with a knee injury.

Trailer:

Lyon vs Real Madrid Highlights: UEFA Champions League

Jean Makoun’s brilliant second-half effort gave Lyon a deserved lead to take into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Real Madrid.

Following a scoreless first half that saw Lyon make most of the running and also hit the woodwork, Makoun struck what would prove to be the only goal of the tie two minutes after the break with a stunning 25-yard effort.

That goal pushed Madrid to their third successive defeat at the Stade Gerland, and the Spanish giants – whose Bernabeu stadium is the venue for this year’s final – have lot of work to do if they are avoid being dumped out at the last-16 stage for the sixth successive campaign.

Highlights:

Estudiantes vs Barcelona Highlights: Club World Cup Finals

Lionel Messi struck an extra-time winner as Barcelona fought back bravely against a impressive Estudiantes to win the Club World Cup and complete an incredible year with a sixth piece of silverware.

Barca’s hopes of adding a maiden Club World Cup crown to their Primera Division, Champions League, Copa del Rey and European and Spanish Super Cup titles dealt a major blow as Argentinians Estudiantes led heading into the final minutes thanks to Mauro Boselli’s 37th-minute header in Abu Dhabi.

But Barca substitute Pedro Rodriguez, fresh from his record-breaking goal in the semi-finals against Atlante, scored the equaliser in the 89th minute with another header before Messi popped up in the 110th minute to chest home the winner and ensure Pep Guardiola’s side a perfect ending to a fairytale year.

Highlights:
Estudiantes 1-2 Barcelona

Estudiantes 1-1 Barcelona

Estudiantes 1-0 Barcelona

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