Though Bayern created a lot of chances, their profligacy in front of goal, Robert Lewandowski being the main culprit, ensured that they go to the second leg with a risky lead of only one goal. Treble-chasing Barcelona go into tonight’s quarter-final first leg at the Nou Camp having won six successive matches against Atletico.
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Luis Suarez was the man to do the damage after firing in from close range to restore parity in the 62nd minute before the Uruguay star headed in the winning goal 12 minutes later to seal a 2-1 first-leg win for Barcelona.
Barca had been beaten for the first time in 39 games stretching back six months by Real Madrid on Saturday and were again far from their best as Atletico looked comfortable until Torres was given his marching orders 10 minutes before half-time.
Atletico still hadn’t threatened but when their first chance came on 25 minutes Torres took it. Koke got away from Sergio Busquets and as Gerard Pique stepped out to close him down he left Torres in the care of Javier Mascherano and Alves.
Suarez dropped deep to collect the ball and sprayed his pass wide for Dani Alves, who’s pinpoint cross completed the one-two and the Uruguayan’s powerful header flew past to Jan Oblak.
Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez have scored 107 goals between them this season but after Barcelona’s celebrated trio failed to find the net in the defeat by Real Madrid, coach Luis Enrique defended them by declaring “they aren’t machines”.
“They sent me off [in La Liga fixture] correctly, but the other team isn’t treated the same”.
Barca saw theіr record-breakіng unbeaten run come to an end after goіng down 2-1 to 10-man Real at the Nou Camp, wіth Crіstіano Ronaldo nettіng an 85th-mіnute wіnner. “I’m not anxious about them at all, it’s impossible for us to have more faith in them, they have brutal qualities and we’re so lucky to have them at Barca”, he said. The striker did the rest by sending a first-time shot between the legs of keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for his 11th goal in 15 matches against Barcelona.
Despite coughing up a valuable away goal, Barcelona have left themselves in a good position to progress and remain on track for a second consecutive treble. Because although Torres’s dismissal was fair, Suarez should have followed.
“We played with our heads, not just our hearts, which can lead to disaster”, Luis Enrique said.
“We can not relax. We are not untouchable and Wolfsburg are able to hurt us”, said Zidane.
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“UEFA worry about making us change shirts, but they didn’t appoint a referee that is up to the level of the Champions League quarter-finals”.
