Youthful agility: Barça and Arsenal in the quarter-finals – Champions League

Barcelona in the quarter-finals. © APA/AFP/Louis Jane

FC Barcelona has reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2020.

March 13, 2024

From: apa/del

The Catalans maintained the upper hand 3-1 against Napoli at the Estadi Olympique Luís on Tuesday evening thanks to goals from Fermin Lopez (15), Joao Cancelo (17) and Robert Lewandowski (83) and moved into first place after the first leg. 1 with 4:2.

Perhaps the team of coach Xavi, who will leave in the summer, will be able to salvage such a weak season in the “first division.” Barcelona coach Pau Kubarsi helped the 17-year-old make his Champions League debut at centre-back, while a younger superstar, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, broke into the attack.

Arsenal trembles and cheers

Arsenal also qualified for the quarter-finals after defeating Porto on penalties 4-2. After 45, 90 and 120 minutes, the score became 1-0 in London after a goal by Leandro Trossard (41 minutes), after the home team lost the first match in Portugal 0-1.

Arsenal's talented squad seems to be maturing more and more. © ANSA/Neil Hall

In the penalty shootout, first Wendell failed to hit the post and then Galeno, the first-leg's top scorer, failed past Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. But for Arsenal, captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice all scored with confidence. They avoided an eighth successive exit at this stage of the competition and tasted the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010. After taking over the top spot in the league, there was the next highlight.

Champions League: Round of 16

Arsenal – Porto 5:3 NE
1-0 Trossard (41.)

Barcelona – Napoli 3:1
1:0 Lopez (15), 2:0 Cancelo (17), 2:1 Rahmani (30), 3:1 Lewandowski (83)