BARCELONA were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Frankfurt.
Ansgar Knauff gave the Germans a shock lead just after the break before Ferran Torres equalised.
But Barca couldn’t get the breakthrough despite Tuta being sent off for the hosts.
Strike worthy of the manager
Despite having a spectacular shot saved in the first-half, Ferran Torres was not going to be stopped this evening.
The build up play by De Jong, linking with Dembele for the French playmaker to find Torres.
He returned the ball to him before Dembele slotted it back to him to side foot into the back of the net.
Total Barcelona, Xavi would be proud.
Could have been Frankfurt-er
The hosts created numerous chances but Lindstrom had a gilt-edged chance immediately after the Frankfurt goal.
It could have been a completely different game had he scored it.
The Danish midfielder will have the chance to make amends in the second-leg.
German lines hold firm
Once they had Tuta sent off for a second yellow card, it was important that the Germans did not allow Barcelona to score another goal.
To go to Camp Nou in the second-leg with the Catalans holding a lead could have been a bridge too far for Frankfurt.
With the scores level, this is still anybody’s game to win.
FT: Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
The referee brings the game to an end.
An entertaining game of football that on another day could have had a lot more goals.
Frankfurt will settle for the draw after having a man sent off in the second half allowing the visitors to dominate at the end.
A draw is a fair result, all to play for in this tie.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
90+2. Frankfurt are looking to see this one out now.
They have dropped deep and are just trying to keep the visitors at bay.
Barcelona not able to unlock the Frankfurt defence one more time.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
90. We will have three added minutes.
Alba tries to create something but his ball into the box is overhit.
They want to find a winner still.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
88. Dembele has another chance to get the ball into the box.
Lenglet seems to get his head to it but it goes just wide of the back post.
Frankfurt will take the draw now.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
86. Ndicka heads the ball behind for a corner.
Dembele is causing all sorts of problems for the home side.
Frankfurt manage to clear their lines.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
84. It is end to end stuff here.
Both teams are looking to get that goal to give them an advantage going into the second leg.
The German fans boo, jeer and whistle are Barcelona patiently attack.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
82. Despite having a man sent off it is Frankfurt who have created the half chances since.
Xavi will be wanting his side to turn the screw with the advantage.
Defeat would be harsh on the German side.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
80. Frankfurt have a corner but cannot beat the first man with the delivery.
They win the second ball and find Ndicka who turns and beats his man.
He whips it across the box and the substitute Toure nearly gets on the end of it.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
78. Silly challenge by Tuta when already on a yellow card.
He will be a big miss in that back three for the second leg too.
Barcelona can go for the jugular now with the man advantage.
Red card – Tuta (Frankfurt)
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
76. Dembele tries to thread through Aubameyang.
Cut out by the Frankfurt defender.
He read that well.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
74. Frankfurt come forward again with Kostic.
Some tired passing by the home side allowing Barca to clear their lines.
Whoever has more left in the tank may prove decisive here.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
72. Barcelona come forward again, looking for a second goal.
Lindstrom comes off for Frankfurt, replaced by Hauge.
Frankfurt looking to relieve the pressure on their defence.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
70. The goal seems to have woken Barcelona up.
As they attack there looks so much more quality in the final third for the Catalan side now.
Plenty of time for either side to find a winning goal.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
68. Barcelona have the chance to get on top now.
The equaliser seems to have knocked the wind out of Frankfurt’s sails.
Both sides looking to score more goals.
Frankfurt 1-1 Barcelona
66. The substitution from Xavi worked wonders there.
De Jong and Dembele were both involved.
Dembele playing a one-two with Torres to assist his goal.
Goal – Ferran Torres (Barcelona)
Frankfurt 1-0 Barcelona
64. We are into the final half hour of this leg.
The home side the first to draw blood.
Barcelona pushing forward in search of an equaliser.
Frankfurt 1-0 Barcelona
62. Dembele and De Jong have come on for Barcelona.
Xavi wants to see them get back on level terms.
Barcelona trying to break the Frankfurt lines.
Frankfurt 1-0 Barcelona
60. It is the black shirts of Frankfurt streaming forward again.
The final ball just evades them at the moment.
Ter Stegen is being kept busy.
Frankfurt 1-0 Barcelona
58. It looks like Barcelona are going to make some changes.
Xavi cannot be happy with what he is seeing on the pitch.
If anyone looks like scoring at the moment it is Frankfurt.
Frankfurt 1-0 Barcelona
56. Every time Frankfurt get the ball in the box they look capable of scoring.
Barcelona are all over the shop trying to keep the Germans out.
Frankfurt will feel buoyed on by what they are seeing.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
