LAST UPDATE | 10 Mar 2020
A FOURTH CHAMPIONS League last 16 tie will be played behind closed doors as Barcelona have announced their second leg against Napoli next week will be closed to fans.
Italian authorities placed the whole country in a lockdown situation last night in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19. Away trips for Napoli and Atalanta (against Valencia this evening) will go ahead in front of empty stadia.
The altered conditions are now common across Europe with German giants Bayern Munich announcing their clash with Chelsea will be closed to fans, as will PSG’s meeting with Dortmund in Paris tomorrow.
Barca drew the first leg in Italy 1-1, but will have to navigate the 18 March second leg in front of almost 100,000 empty seats.
This morning also brought confirmation that Manchester United’s Europa League last 16 first leg trip to Austria will take place behind closed doors at the Linzer Stadion on Thursday.
Lask were prompted to close the match to supporters as Austria has barred outdoor gatherings exceeding 500 people and indoor events of more than 100 people.
A fantastic game but can’t help but feel the better team on the night lost.
With hindsight you’d almost wish Clermont got the result as we didn’t go on to lift the trophy and they were probably the best team in Europe at the time.
Most sets of opposing fans are great, but there’s something particularly special about Clermont, the reception for Leinster fans by Clermont in Bordeaux in 2012 is something I’ll never forget, the traveling Leinster support did a parade style walk to the stadium and thousands of Clermont fans responded by making a guard of honor on the street that narrowed to single file as Leinster fans entered the stadium, a mini replica was then attempted for Clermont fans entering Lansdowne for the 2013 final. To this day there’s a great bond between both sets of fans.
@Sean Fahey: look at u reminiscing.
Your so full of sh##.
Were calling us all ejits yesterday, when the Munster article was out.
Must be board in the holiday home of yours .
Excellent. Another Leinster article to fry the brains of the Munster fellas!:)
@Kevin: It is a bit annoying to always see Leinster focused articles but understandable as they are the dominant force and an insight into their journey to being one of the current world leading teams is relevant. Also, the population of Leinster and sheer number of rugby supporters means more clicks and a viable business for the 42. It would be interesting to chart Ulster’s ‘99 season though. In fairness, Munster got an ‘06 article yesterday but poor Ulster get little credit for being the first Irish champions of Europe (albeit without the English).
@SomeGuy: they did beat a fair few French monsters on that run to the title though. Hardly an easy route.
Brilliant game this. It was one of the Leinster v Clermont games that I felt Clermont were clearly the better side but we dug out a win.
I was sitting right in front of the Sexton jaw break incident and it was a very dirty stroke from Parra. Cost Sexton a semi final and potentially cost Leinster hugely having to play Shaun Berne in Toulouse iirc.
I was there. Awesome atmosphere made so be the amazing travelling support and our own fans response. James struggled. If they had another 10 they would have won it.
Excellent. Another Leinster article to fry the brains of the whinging Munster fellas!:)
@Kevin: Which is it Kevin. Make your mind up.
@thesaltyurchin: I’ll stick with whinging.
@Kevin: And another Leinster Ladyboy talking about Munster on a Leinster article. What do you expect from a pig but a grunt I guess