Matuidi Keeps PSG’s Hopes Alive as Bayern Take Command of Juventus Tie

Blaise Matuidi’s strike in injury time helped Paris Saint Germain hold Barcelona to a 2-2 draw while Bayern Munich comfortably beat the Old Lady Juventus 2-0 as UEFA Champions League first leg quarterfinal ties were played Tuesday night.

Lionel Messi had put the Blaugrana ahead in the 38^th minute only for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to net in an equalizer against his former team ten minutes before the final whistle. A drama of late goals ensued first from a Xavi Hernandez penalty in the dying minutes of the second half but this was only compounded with Matuidi’s goal in the virtually the last kick of the game.

Tito Vilanova made a return to the Barca touchline after a long absence but could only watch as his team got pegged on the back during the early minutes of the match that even saw Javier Pastore hit the post with just four minutes on the clock.

It was however the Spanish outfit who took the lead when Lionel Messi slotted in the opener from a brilliant assist from Dani Alves. Messi however pulled a hamstring that kept him out for the second half but the Blaugrana still had enough ammunition. Xavi Hernandez converted a penalty after Alexis Sanchez had been pulled down in the box to restore Barca’s one goal cushion after Ibrahimovic had equalized for the Parisians albeit from an offside position.

The game seemed to be in the bag for the Catalans until the 4^th minute of added time as Matuidi’s shot from outside the area somehow squeezed past Victor Valdez to leave the tie open.

In Munich, last year’s finalists Bayern Munich put one foot into the semis following their 2-0 win over Juventus. The Bavarians started strongly in front of the home crowd and took the lead in the first minute via Austrian international David Alaba. Jupp Heynckes’ men dominated the match from start to finish and extended their lead eight minutes after the hour mark as Thomas Muller tapped in Mario Mandzukic’s cut-back to give Bayern a vital 2-0 win and a clean sheet heading into the second leg next week.

Two other quarterfinal matches will be played Wednesday night with Borussia Dortmund make a trip to Spain to face Malaga while Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid welcome Didier Drogba’s Galatasaray.

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