Liverpool and Manchester United both registered scoreless draws in their Champions League clashes with Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively this evening. The results mean United and Bayern Munich progress to the quarter-finals, while Liverpool must beat Roma next week to advance.
In Barcelona’s Nou Camp stadium this evening, Jari Litmanen partnered Emile Heskey up front for Liverpool in the absence of Michael Owen and Nicolas Anelka. The visitors had two excellent chances in the first half but midfielder Steven Gerrard failed to hit the target on both occasions. Barcelona came close through Saviola but the teams deservedly went in even at the break.
The second half saw Barcelona attack Liverpool with more emphasis but the Reds defence stood firm against Kluivert, Rivaldo and co. The closest the Spaniards came to breaking the deadlock was midway through the half when Christanval’s header came back off the post with Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek beaten. At the other end Liverpool went close through Emile Heskey but in the end, a draw was the fairest result and one which sets Group B up for an exciting finish next Tuesday night after Roma drew 1-1 with Galatasaray in the group’s other game.
In Group A United and Bayern have advanced the quarter-finals after playing out another scoreless draw. Nantes’ 1-1 draw with Boavista in the group’s other game ensures Alex Ferguson and Ottmar Hitzfeld’s teams go through. Both sides had chances to win it but will no doubt be happy to have booked their places in the next phase with a game to spare.
Filed by Tom Grealis
