Ronaldo skies penalty as United draw in Barcelona

Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo was left to count the cost of a missed penalty as Barcelona and Manchester United played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Camp Nou.

What was billed as a clash between two of Europe’s most attacking sides ultimately played out as a tense affair of few goalscoring opportunities, with the Red Devils successfully frustrating their opponents, who dominated possession on the night.

United could have got off to a dream start, though, when they are awarded a penalty inside the opening ninety seconds when Gabriel Milito used his hand to block a Ronaldo header. However, Ronaldo failed to even hit the target with his spot-kick, firing the ball high and wide to the right as Victor Valdes went the wrong way.

Barca, who surprisingly recalled Deco to the starting line-up after two months out injured, went on to control possession, but despite playing some good build-up football struggled to find a cutting edge in the final third up against a resolute United defence.

Second penalty appeal

Ronaldo was again the subject of a penalty claim on the half hour. Andres Iniesta played his side into trouble inside his own half, but Ronaldo’s attempt to run on to a loose ball was cynically checked by Mexican Rafael Marquez, but Swiss referee Massimo Busacca ignored United’s appeals.

United finished the half well, looking more dangerous on the break, but the second half began with the same pattern of Barca controlling the ball and the English side sitting deep and soaking up the pressure. Ronaldo, who was deployed in a central striking role, again unsuccessfully pleaded for a penalty when Yaya Toure’s clumsy challenge brought him down inside the area.

With few genuine goalscoring opportunities for either side, one of the other more notable incidents in the second period was a close penalty shout at the other end. A slip from Rio Ferdinand when making a challenge on Samuel Eto’o could easily have resulted in a spot-kick, but the Cameroonian stayed on his feet to try to create a chance for his side, only to see Michael Carrick intercept the cross into the box.

Eto’o did manage to find time and space in the United are shortly afterwards, but blasted his finish into the side netting, before Edwin van Der Sar comfortably dealt with Xavi’s long-distance drive and two late efforts from substitute Thierry Henry.

Deco ovation

Henry had come on to replace Deco, who was afforded a positive ovation from the home crowd after a particularly strong first half performance, while Nani was introduced late on for United in place of the unusually quiet Wayne Rooney.

The final whistle brought an end to a nail-biting night in Catalonia, with United installed as slight favourites going into the second leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday, although the clean sheet and non-concession of an away goal will give Los Cules plenty of hope that they can still reach the final in Moscow next month.

Barcelona:
Victor Valdes, Zambrotta, Abidal, Marquez, Milito, Toure, Xavi, Deco (Henry), Iniesta, Messi (Bojan), Eto’o
Yellow Cards: Marquez (misses return leg)

Man United:
van Der Sar, Hargreaves, Evra, Ferdinand, Brown, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Rooney (Nani), Tevez (Giggs), Ronaldo
Yellow Cards: None