© EuroFootball.com
On Tuesday, after the break, the UEFA Champions League returned. Two first leg matches of the round of 16 were played in European stadiums.
The most attention was drawn to the match between the football players of "Manchester City" and "Barcelona". In the second half, the guests from Catalonia managed to break the resistance of the "citizens" and celebrated a victory with a score of 0-2.
The first half started with the dominance of the Spanish champions, but during the first 45 minutes, cautious football was played and no goals were scored.
However, in the second half, goals poured in. In the 53rd minute, defender Martin Demichelis was sent off the field for a clear foul against Lionel Messi, and just a minute later, the same forward defeated Joe Hart from 11 meters.
Interestingly, M. Demichelis' foul was recorded after Jesus Navas was brought down in the middle of the field, but the referee did not notice it, and what's more, the foul against L. Messi was just outside the penalty area line, making the penalty questionable.
Throughout the rest of the time, the "Man City" team did not crumble in 10 and had great opportunities to equalize the score, but in the very end of the match, another "Barcelona" player - defender Dani Alves, tore the net with a shot that went straight past J. Hart.
In other matches, the home team was also unlucky. The Leverkusen "Bayer" team, supported by their fans, was crushed by Paris Saint-Germain 0-4.
Three goals were scored in the first half, the first was by Blaise Matuidi, and at the end of the half, two goals were added by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The German club was sent into complete disarray by Yohan Cabaye, who scored the fourth goal in the 88th minute after a pass from Lucas Moura.
All four teams will play their return matches in the Champions League round of 16 on March 12.
Results:
"Manchester City" 0 - 2 "Barcelona" 54' [0 - 1] L. Messi (11m. penalty) 90' [0 - 2] D. Alves 53' M. Demichelis ("Manchester City") sent off the field
Leverkusen "Bayer" 0 - 4 "Paris St.Germain" 3' [0 - 1] B. Matuidi 39' [0 - 2] Z. Ibrahimovic (11m. penalty) 42' [0 - 3] Z. Ibrahimovic 88' [0 - 4] Y. Cabaye 59' E. Spahic ("Bayer") sent off the field
