WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | BARCELONA 1-3 PSG
Barcelona Femeni with it all to do in the return against PSG
PSG take a 1-3 lead into next weekend's semi-final return leg in Paris. Delie, Cristiane and Shirley Cruz were the scorers at the Mini. Bárbara pulled one back.
History seemed to repeat itself this afternoon, but the other way around. Just a few weeks ago, Barça's men's team found themselves requiring a miracle to stay alive in the Champions League and now the Blaugranas' women's team face an almost identical task. Barcelona Femeni crashed 1-3 to Paris Saint-Germain at the Miniestadi which posted record receipts for today's Women's Champions League semi-final - watched by 10,352 paying spectators. That was the sole positive note for Xavi Llorens' team who travel to Paris for Saturday's return needing to emulate the men's team's epic comeback if they are to progress to the final.
Carnaval atmosphere at Barcelona's Miniestadi
There was a party atmosphere at the 'Mini' with the partisan crowd providing vocal support for the home side against PSG full of stars players, including Spaniards - Irene Paredes and national team captain Vero Boquete, although for this game, the latter started on the bench. Barça crumbled against a PSG who were superior both physically and in front of goal.
Delie and Cristiane give PSG a two-goal lead
The deadlock was broken by Delie on 26 minutes, volleying PSG ahead on the turn after an impressive build-up. Barça found themselves powerless to contain Brazilian right winger Cristiane, who nodded the visitors 0-2 up on 36 minutes - with Delie supplying the cross. In 10 minutes, PSG required just two attempts on goal to put the game in their control.
Shirley Cruz adds a third, Bárbara pulls back a late goal for Barcelona
Xavi Llorens responded by shuffling his team and playing three at the back with Mariona accompanying Jenni Hermoso in attack. But the French side's pressing left Barça without attacking options from either wing and forced to concentrate their advances through the middle. Almost as soon as the second half started Diallo struck the bar and moments later Shirley Cruz blasted inside the top corner to make it 0-3. Llorens brought on Olga, Patri Guijarro and Bárbara Latorre. Vicky Losada came close to pulling a goal back on the hour from a Marta Torrejón centre as Barcelona tried everything in their power to get back in contention. Bárbara Latorre pulled a goal back in the final minute after racing onto a raking pass. Barça will go to Paris with hopes of staging an historic comeback but they will need an indectical result at the Parc des Princes just to level the tie - as will Manchester City who also suffered a 1-3 first leg defeat in the other semi-final to Olympique Lyon.