Turin and Barcelona were more than entertained from two great matches in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
The prosperous Real Madrid side traveled to Turin on May, 5th to challenge a stable Juventus team that have not been to the semi-final since 2003. This highly intense first leg was dominated by Juventus although Madrid at times were allowed a goal scoring opportunity.
This game did not take long to witness the first goal. The Los Blancos defense were edgy and disorganized and a great pass from Stefan Lichsteiner broke free Carlos Tevez behind the defense. His shot was pushed aside by keeper Iker Casillas to the boot of Alvaro Morata and the former Real Madrid striker haunts his old side to give Juventus the 1-0 lead.
The goal sparked a grave intent from the Spanish giants to surge forward seeking a goal to even the sides. In the 27th minute a brilliant one-two pass from Carvajal found James Rodriguez. The Colombian international volleyed the ball into the box to find the streaking Cristiano Ronaldo to head home the equalizer.
Both teams continued to press as the game remained even to the end of the half. James Rodriguez hit the cross-bar after a great cross but if it wasn’t for the shoe of Stefano Sturaro; who was filling in for the injured Paul Pogba, the game and momentum could have changed.
During the second half the game decision whistle favoured the old lady. Tevez broke free past the centre of defense and in a one on one encounter with Dani Carvajal, he was tripped in the box earning a penalty kick. Tevez stepped up to the spot, and delivered the game winning goal from 12 yards.
The game ended 2-1 going back to the Bernebeu next week in Madrid for a second leg encounter on May, 13th.
In the other game in Barcelona, the former head coach of the team Pep Guardiola returns to the other side of the box leading Bayern Munich into his former territory.
Guardiola managed Barcelona from 2008-2012 winning two champions league trophies in the process. He helped build the very Barcelona side he had to face and more importantly go up against the player he trained to be the world’s best; Lionel Messi.
Guardiola states that when Messi is at his best, “there is no defense that can stop him. It’s impossible.” (Goal.com)
Guardiola words were more than valid in his return to the Nou Camp. Late in the second half Dani Alves sprung free Lionel Messi at the top corner of the 18 yard box. Messi shot the ball low and hard into the short side past Manuel Neur to open the scoring.
Three minutes later Messi received a pass from Sergio Busquets down the right flank. He brought the ball into the box dancing around Jerome Boateng causing him to fall over. The #10 man chipped the ball above Manuel Neur to give Barca a two goal advantage.
In the 90th minute Bayern pressed for an away goal but the decision made from Pep Guardiola proved to be a poor one. From the high press left only two defenders back. The ball sprung free to Lionel Messia and he brought the ball forward to the halfway line only to spring free Neymar on the left side leaving him one on one with Neur. Neymar scored the third goal of the game.
Guardiola’s return to the Nou Camp was not what he expected it to be as his efforts will return to German territory, where he will try to lead his Bayern Munich side to victory at the Allianz Arena on May 12th.
RAB Sports 
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