LYON, France - Favourites Barcelona did just enough to
hold the edge over Olympique Lyon in their fight for a Champions
League quarter-final berth with 1-1 draw in the away leg of their
last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Brazilian midfielder Juninho put the home side ahead after seven
minutes when his free kick from the left flank sailed over Barca
keeper Victor Valdes and inside the top far corner but Lyon failed
to capitalise on their first-half dominance.
France striker Thierry Henry grabbed the potentially crucial
equaliser when he stooped to head home from less than a metre in
the 67th minute after defender Rafael Marquez deflected a Lionel
Messi corner towards the far post.
The French champions, whose pressure in the closing stages
failed to produce a winner, face a daunting task in the return leg
at the Nou Camp in two weeks' time.
Barcelona, who slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat by city rivals
Espanyol at the weekend, rose to the occasion in the second half
and it proved too much for Lyon.
"I regret that we didn't profit from our period of dominance in
the first half," Lyon coach Claude Puel told reporters.
"In those moments of strength, you have to be able to score a
second or third goal. After all our (early) efforts we stood
back...But it's a long way from being over."
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said he did not panic despite his
side's poor first-half performance.
"After the break, we took control of the game and it was much
better. We now need to draw the conclusions from this match in
order to be ready for the return leg."
Lyon opened the scoring when Lyon captain Juninho's free kick
caught the Barca defence napping to sail over the static Valdes and
into the net.
BENZEMA THREAT
The Barcelona's defence was again caught off guard by Karim
Benzema a minute later but the France striker missed the target
from just inside the area.
Although Barca enjoyed most of the possession, Lyon were sharp
on the break and showed more aggressiveness.
However, Lyon were quickly reminded that Barca were not to be
written off so quickly when Samuel Eto'o whipped in a low shot that
crashed off Hugo Lloris's right post on 14 minutes.
Benzema also hit the woodwork in the 27th when he curled a shot
onto Valdes's left post.
Messi had the Lyon crowd booing him throughout an ill-tempered
first half after he theatrically fell holding his head following a
Fabio Grosso challenge.
Barcelona sprung to life after the break and Lyon needed two
stunning stops by Lloris to stay ahead.
A Daniel Alves free kick was deflected towards the goal in the
57th minute and Gerard Pique thought he had an equaliser from close
range eight minutes later but both times, the French keeper denied
Barca.
The visitors found the net, however, when Mexico's Marquez
sharply headed Messi's corner on and Henry dived to score at the
far post.
