UEFA Champions League: Barcelona draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid
Barcelona took a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid last night in their UEFA Champions League draw.
Neymar equalised a wonder-strike from Diego Ribas to leave Barcelona and Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final finely balanced.
David Villa spurned an early chance in the first leg at Camp Nou and Andres Iniesta’s shot at the other end was blocked by Diego Godin before Villa drew a good save from Jose Pinto in first-half stoppage time.
Brazilian forward Diego, who had come on to replace Atletico’s injured talisman Diego Costa after half an hour, put the visitors ahead on 57 minutes, but compatriot Neymar drew Barcelona level 14 minutes later after a fine pass from Iniesta.
The visitors were clinging on by the end, relying on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make outstanding saves, denying first Iniesta and then Lionel Messi.
Diego Simeone’s side’s desperation was underlined by the fact six of their players picked up yellow cards, while just two Barca players received cautions.
The two teams will play again in next week’s second leg at the Vicente Calderon.
