XtraTime Web Desk: The UEFA Champions League saw two interesting battles as both the nail-biters ended up goalless after some serious strategic encounters.
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich: A goalless draw at home in the knockout stage is hardly the worst result but had Liverpool taken one of several gilt-edged first-half opportunities they would be travelling to Munich on 13 March with a slender lead. The hosts succeeded in keeping Lewandowski and his colleagues at bay, though, and with Virgil van Dijk available for the return leg the Reds will still fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
The hosts were on top in the first half and typically threatening in transition, but Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Joël Matip all spurned chances. Last season’s finalists did not have it all their own way, though, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker making a smart early save from Matip’s miscued clearance.
If Liverpool were the better side in the opening 45 minutes, then Bayern was in charge after the interval, stand-in centre-back Fabinho blocking well from Robert Lewandowski before Serge Gnabry sent his drive just over. As it was, though, neither team could land an early blow in a tie that looks likely to go right to the wire.
Lyon vs FC Barcelona:
Barcelona were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Olympique Lyonnais in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday as both sides remained unbeaten in this season’s competition.The La Liga leaders dominated the match at the Groupama stadium but lacked accuracy up front and were grateful to their goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen who made two great saves.
Lyon was lively in the first half but ran out of steam after the break and was holding on in the closing stages as Lionel Messi tried in vain to open up the home defence.
Barca had a total of 25 shots but only five on target and their best chance came in the last minute when Sergio Busquets’s 18-metre attempt was tipped over the bar by Anthony Lopes.
The second leg will be at the Nou Camp on March 13, a game where Lyon will welcome back France striker and captain Nabil Fekir, who was suspended on Tuesday.