Evening everyone. How are we all? This promises to be an interesting night. Can Arsenal pull off an absolutely audacious comeback and get the better of Barcelona in their own backyard? Or will a defeat really ensure their season will end in more frustration, vitriol and increased calls for Arsene Wenger to go?
The big team news is from Arsenal where Wenger has decided to give teenager Alex Iwobi his very first start in the Champions League.
Laurent Koscielny is back and replaces Per Mertesacker at centre-back – the German drops to the bench and is joined there by Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.
I know you’re all probably sick of bets what it being Cheltenham and everything but what odds would you give on Arsenal finishing this game with eleven players?
Enduring image tonight could well be Arsenal players, on their way back after conceding a third, glum, soaked to the bone.
Already some flicks and tricks from Iniesta on the edge of the area but it comes to nothing. Arsenal on the counter and are pushing bodies forward early on. They’ve won a corner here thanks to Welbeck.
16 Mar 2016
7:53PM
Lovely turn by Ozil before trading passes with Iwobi. The move fizzles out though and it’s been a scrappy opening from both sides here.
There has been an early goal in Munich and it’s gone to…
JUVENTUS!
Paul Pogba has put the Italians into the driving seat. They lead 1-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate but Bayern know an equaliser gives them the advantage so still perfectly poised.
CLOSE! Ozil breaks on the counter and it’s 2-v-2 for a moment. He’s holding it up, waiting for support but nothing inviting is being offered. He’s not closed down so takes the shot on himself and curls it just wide. That was a great chance for the guests. Barca looked very vulnerable.
Arsenal have been solid here and have gone close-ish again through Elneny. He drives a right-footed shot towards goal but it’s always curling away from the upright. Ter Stegen dives anyway but was never likely to test him.
VERY CLOSE! Oh, what a save by David Ospina. Neymar picks out Messi over the top with an absolutely ridiculous ball and the Argentine sticks out his magic left peg to trap it perfectly. He goes to thump it to the corner but Ospina somehow spreads himself and blocks. Incredible. Still scoreless.
Well, how ruthless is that? Just after Ospina’s magic act, Suarez does brilliantly in the right channel, cuts inside and Arsenal’s defence is completely opened up. He threads a pass through for Neymar and he keeps his cool to tuck it away. 3-0 on aggregate now.
16 Mar 2016
8:12PM
There has been some encouraging signs from Arsenal but what a killer blow that Neymar goal was. They’ve tried to compose themselves but Barcelona look so dangerous. Moments ago, Suarez launched a diagonal ball to Neymar from inside his own half and Gabriel barely got his head to it. You’d worry about Arsenal here.
16 Mar 2016
8:14PM
Jordi Alba slips it through Bellerin’s legs as Barca push again. It’s just very organic and easy and pure. A joy to watch, really.
Juventus have added a SECOND and now lead 0-2 on the night and 2-4 on aggregate. Bayern are in big trouble and it’s Cuadrado who has scored it for Max Allegri’s side.
YELLOW CARD! Flamini drives his knee into Iniesta’s back and inevitably gets booked. Moments earlier, Alba had a great chance to make it 2-0 but Ospina got down to make a relatively comfortable save.
PENALTY CLAIM! Iwobi goes down in the box with Mascherano right on his shoulder. On first look, it seems a definite penalty but the referee is all over it and is adamant it’s not. But he doesn’t book the youngster for diving either. On the replay, there’s a minimal amount of contact but Iwobi ends up tripping himself.
CLOSE! It’s Ozil versus the rest here. His magic eventually leads to Elneny screwing up his first touch at the far post and seeing his shot blocked. Moments later, Sanchez has a HUGE chance but puts his close-range header wide of the far post with all of the goal to aim for.
Arsenal had chances and didn’t take them. Barcelona punished them and it’s really the story of the whole tie in the last 45 minutes. Wenger’s side not ruthless enough up front and the hosts are. At any stage, you get the feeling that Barca can up the tempo and create something from anything.
Right now, rather ominously, they’re at about half-pace.
Absolutely incredible scoreline at the Allianz Arena and Pep Guardiola is in big trouble. How humiliating would it be to exit the Champions League at this stage?
Bayern Munich have only come back from 2 goals down to win once in the last 7 years.
Wow. Was just in the process of typing up how solid Arsenal had been at the start of the half and Elneny sweeps a brilliant right-footer to the top corner from the edge of the box. The ball was played across and he bent the strike inside the near post. Take a bow.
CLOSE! Barca have been pushed around a little and are now responding. Beautiful exchange between Neymar and Messi and the latter flashes a strike low towards the far corner but Ospina gets down and pushes it away with a really decent hand.
CLOSE! Route one and Welbeck is suddenly 1-v-1 with Mascherano. He takes it inside and onto his left but the Argentine times his tackle to perfection and slides across to block. That’s superb, last-ditch defending.
16 Mar 2016
9:05PM
Messi flashes a shot just wide of the near post after Neymar’s cushioned header. Some nerves in the Camp Nou. Another for Arsenal here would throw this tie wide open.
What a goal from Suarez. From the Mark Hughes locker of acrobatic volleys. Cross from the right side and he launches himself at the ball to scissor-kick it to the far corner. Magnificent.
CLOSE! Arsenal have been valiant but this is why Wenger was so pessimistic after the first leg. By pushing out, Barca will then pick you off and that’s what has happened. Welbeck has just rattled the woodwork with a left-foot smash – angle of post and crossbar.
CLOSE! Sanchez lines up the free-kick and curls it superbly towards the top corner. Ter Stegen flings himself at it and manages to make a brilliant save. Giroud pounces on the loose ball and turns to lash it towards goal but the keeper is there again to make the block.
That’s an absolute peach from Messi who slips through the middle and just lifts it over Ospina from close range. How he manages to scoop it over the advancing keeper is something truly special. 3-1 and 5-1 on aggregate.
So, Arsenal bow out of the Champions League for the sixth successive time at this juncture.
It was a solid display at times and they created chances but Barcelona always seemed in control, even when it went to 1-1.
Instantly, they went down the pitch and reestablished control and ultimately, with the class of the front three, it always looked inevitable they would score again.
Fittingly, Suarez and Messi both got on the score-sheet to confirm the win.
Only the league is left for Arsenal and that looks like too much of a long-shot right now.
Thanks for staying with us. More reaction to the game on the site this evening.
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As it happened: Barcelona v Arsenal, Champions League
Evening everyone. How are we all? This promises to be an interesting night. Can Arsenal pull off an absolutely audacious comeback and get the better of Barcelona in their own backyard? Or will a defeat really ensure their season will end in more frustration, vitriol and increased calls for Arsene Wenger to go?
The teams are in.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Dani Alves, Mascherano, Mathieu, Jordi Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta, Messi, Neymar, Suarez.
Arsenal: Ospina, Bellerin, Koscielny, Gabriel, Monreal, Elneny, Flamini, Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez, Welbeck.
The big team news is from Arsenal where Wenger has decided to give teenager Alex Iwobi his very first start in the Champions League.
Laurent Koscielny is back and replaces Per Mertesacker at centre-back – the German drops to the bench and is joined there by Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.
For Barcelona, a frightening starting XI. The only change sees the suspended Gerard Pique miss out and Jeremy Mathieu deputise.
We’re going to be keeping a very close eye on tonight’s other Champions League clash between Bayern and Juventus.
It’s beautifully poised at 2-2 from the first-leg and here’s the team news from Bavaria to keep you up to speed.
Bayern XI: Neuer, Benatia, Ribery, Lewandowski, Costa, Alonso, Lahm, Vidal, Muller, Alaba, Kimmich.
Juventus XI: Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra, Cuadrado, Khedira, Hernanes, Pogba, Alex Sandro, Morata.
Wenger’s already done Barca with his mind games.
For anyone wondering, it’s set to be a 4-2-3-1 for Arsenal with Welbeck leading the line and Iwobi on the right side. Elneny and Flamini holding.
Ominous.
Also, it’s absolutely lashing down in Barcelona. As one member of the British press-pack has learned to his cost.
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Celeb spotted.
To put Arsenal’s task into context – as if you needed it – it’s 37 games in all competitions since Barcelona lost a game.
I’m guessing we’ll be seeing Wenger’s famous puffer-jacket this evening. Brace yourself for some zipper trouble.
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I know you’re all probably sick of bets what it being Cheltenham and everything but what odds would you give on Arsenal finishing this game with eleven players?
About to get underway. Predictions?
KICK-OFF!
Already some flicks and tricks from Iniesta on the edge of the area but it comes to nothing. Arsenal on the counter and are pushing bodies forward early on. They’ve won a corner here thanks to Welbeck.
Lovely turn by Ozil before trading passes with Iwobi. The move fizzles out though and it’s been a scrappy opening from both sides here.
There has been an early goal in Munich and it’s gone to…
JUVENTUS!
Paul Pogba has put the Italians into the driving seat. They lead 1-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate but Bayern know an equaliser gives them the advantage so still perfectly poised.
CLOSE! Ozil breaks on the counter and it’s 2-v-2 for a moment. He’s holding it up, waiting for support but nothing inviting is being offered. He’s not closed down so takes the shot on himself and curls it just wide. That was a great chance for the guests. Barca looked very vulnerable.
Absolutely dire stuff from Bayern to concede, by the way. And David Alaba is normally so consistent.
Arsenal have been solid here and have gone close-ish again through Elneny. He drives a right-footed shot towards goal but it’s always curling away from the upright. Ter Stegen dives anyway but was never likely to test him.
VERY CLOSE! Oh, what a save by David Ospina. Neymar picks out Messi over the top with an absolutely ridiculous ball and the Argentine sticks out his magic left peg to trap it perfectly. He goes to thump it to the corner but Ospina somehow spreads himself and blocks. Incredible. Still scoreless.
GOAL! Neymar!
Well, how ruthless is that? Just after Ospina’s magic act, Suarez does brilliantly in the right channel, cuts inside and Arsenal’s defence is completely opened up. He threads a pass through for Neymar and he keeps his cool to tuck it away. 3-0 on aggregate now.
There has been some encouraging signs from Arsenal but what a killer blow that Neymar goal was. They’ve tried to compose themselves but Barcelona look so dangerous. Moments ago, Suarez launched a diagonal ball to Neymar from inside his own half and Gabriel barely got his head to it. You’d worry about Arsenal here.
Jordi Alba slips it through Bellerin’s legs as Barca push again. It’s just very organic and easy and pure. A joy to watch, really.
And huge news from Munich…
Juventus have added a SECOND and now lead 0-2 on the night and 2-4 on aggregate. Bayern are in big trouble and it’s Cuadrado who has scored it for Max Allegri’s side.
YELLOW CARD! Flamini drives his knee into Iniesta’s back and inevitably gets booked. Moments earlier, Alba had a great chance to make it 2-0 but Ospina got down to make a relatively comfortable save.
PENALTY CLAIM! Iwobi goes down in the box with Mascherano right on his shoulder. On first look, it seems a definite penalty but the referee is all over it and is adamant it’s not. But he doesn’t book the youngster for diving either. On the replay, there’s a minimal amount of contact but Iwobi ends up tripping himself.
CLOSE! It’s Ozil versus the rest here. His magic eventually leads to Elneny screwing up his first touch at the far post and seeing his shot blocked. Moments later, Sanchez has a HUGE chance but puts his close-range header wide of the far post with all of the goal to aim for.
YELLOW CARD! Gabriel is in the book, by the way. Arsenal with two players on yellow cards now.
Much better from Arsenal in the last five minutes or so but desperately need to make it count before the break.
SUBSTITUTION! Coquelin (on) – Flamini (off)
Flamini has done his hamstring, it looks like. So, Coquelin, who played in the first leg, is on in his place.
HALF-TIME!
Arsenal had chances and didn’t take them. Barcelona punished them and it’s really the story of the whole tie in the last 45 minutes. Wenger’s side not ruthless enough up front and the hosts are. At any stage, you get the feeling that Barca can up the tempo and create something from anything.
Right now, rather ominously, they’re at about half-pace.
Absolutely incredible scoreline at the Allianz Arena and Pep Guardiola is in big trouble. How humiliating would it be to exit the Champions League at this stage?
SECOND HALF!
GOAL! Elneny!
Wow. Was just in the process of typing up how solid Arsenal had been at the start of the half and Elneny sweeps a brilliant right-footer to the top corner from the edge of the box. The ball was played across and he bent the strike inside the near post. Take a bow.
CLOSE! Barca have been pushed around a little and are now responding. Beautiful exchange between Neymar and Messi and the latter flashes a strike low towards the far corner but Ospina gets down and pushes it away with a really decent hand.
CLOSE! Route one and Welbeck is suddenly 1-v-1 with Mascherano. He takes it inside and onto his left but the Argentine times his tackle to perfection and slides across to block. That’s superb, last-ditch defending.
Messi flashes a shot just wide of the near post after Neymar’s cushioned header. Some nerves in the Camp Nou. Another for Arsenal here would throw this tie wide open.
GOAL! Suarez!
And that’s the tie over.
What a goal from Suarez. From the Mark Hughes locker of acrobatic volleys. Cross from the right side and he launches himself at the ball to scissor-kick it to the far corner. Magnificent.
CLOSE! Arsenal have been valiant but this is why Wenger was so pessimistic after the first leg. By pushing out, Barca will then pick you off and that’s what has happened. Welbeck has just rattled the woodwork with a left-foot smash – angle of post and crossbar.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Sergio Roberto (on) – Iniesta (off) & Giroud and Walcott (on) – Iwomi and Welbeck (off)
Barca make the first switch but Arsenal are right behind them with a double-change of their own. Arsene is the eternal romantic.
We have another goal in Munich and it’s a BIG one…
Bayern have pulled one back with 15 minutes left and it’s Robert Lewandowski who’s grabbed it.
It’s 2-1 to Juventus on the night and they lead 4-3 on aggregate. Bayern need another to force extra-time.
SUBSTITUTION! Turan (on) – Rakitic (off)
Not a bad change to make. Comfortable for Barca here.
CLOSE! Sanchez lines up the free-kick and curls it superbly towards the top corner. Ter Stegen flings himself at it and manages to make a brilliant save. Giroud pounces on the loose ball and turns to lash it towards goal but the keeper is there again to make the block.
YELLOW CARD! Giroud is the latest to go in the book after he throws the ball away in disgust after being blown for a foul.
GOAL! Messi!
That’s an absolute peach from Messi who slips through the middle and just lifts it over Ospina from close range. How he manages to scoop it over the advancing keeper is something truly special. 3-1 and 5-1 on aggregate.
FULL-TIME!
So, Arsenal bow out of the Champions League for the sixth successive time at this juncture.
It was a solid display at times and they created chances but Barcelona always seemed in control, even when it went to 1-1.
Instantly, they went down the pitch and reestablished control and ultimately, with the class of the front three, it always looked inevitable they would score again.
Fittingly, Suarez and Messi both got on the score-sheet to confirm the win.
Only the league is left for Arsenal and that looks like too much of a long-shot right now.
Thanks for staying with us. More reaction to the game on the site this evening.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
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