Match Day One: 1993/1994 Barcelona 2 1993/1994 PSG 2

1993/1994 Barcelona 2             1993/1994 PSG 2
(Romario 62', Bakero 67')         (Weah 30', Rai 76')

An absolute classic at the Camp Nou. The Dream Team were heavy favourites and at times they showcased the brilliance that would make them a match for any side in the competition but they also betrayed the hubris that undermined them in their European Final in Athens. Bernard Lama had a busy afternoon and Barcelona could have been ahead on 8 minutes when Stoichkov found Romario with a whipped in cross but a rare poor first touch from the Brazilian meant the chance went begging. PSG gave Barcelona a warning on 22 minutes with a dangerous attack. Ginola's shot was blocked by Nadal and the ball shot down the other end of the field through some slick passing. Amor found Beguiristain but Lama's athletic save tipped the header over. And then came the first disaster for Barcelona. On half an hour, on yet another attack there seemed little danger but Paris cleared, Weah was quicker to the ball than Nadal and broke clear to run forty yards with the ball in on Zubizarreta. He made no mistake with his finish and Paris were ahead. The Nou Camp fell silent.

The final fifteen minutes of the half were one long siege of the Paris goal. Roche blocked a Romario shot, Lama made another spectacular save from Amor and finally Guardiola raked a shot across the face of goal.

Barcelona found another gear in the second half and for a while they were unplayable. On the hour, Romario levelled the match, powering home a header from Beguiristain's cross and just five minutes later a pass and move between Bakero and Amor put the Catalan captain in on goal. He drilled his shot past Lama and the favourites appeared well on their way to securing a lead for the return leg.

 Michael Laudrup replaced Amor but failed to get into the game a great deal and four minutes after the change the second Paris goal came. Again it began with Barcelona on the attack with a corner. Paris cleared and moved the ball swiftly down the field. Ginola showed his brilliance with the ball at his feet. He took the ball down the edge of the box, shot low across looking for Weah. Nadal got a boot intercept it but the deflection fell kindly for Rai and the Paris captain fired in the equaliser. So the match heads to Paris, poised at 2-2 and Paris will feel renewed confidence that they might complete the upset. Barcelona for their part must guard against the sucker punch if the hope to progress.