Barcelona, United try to protect semifinal leads

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FE Team | Published: May 03, 2011 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

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LONDON, May 02 (AP): With both Barcelona and Manchester United protecting 2-0 leads, a rematch of the 2009 Champions League final is looming at Wembley Stadium later this month. But ensuring they each have a chance to win a fourth European title will require the semifinalists to successfully negotiate second leg matches that are shaping up to be contrasting occasions. On Tuesday, Barcelona will be hosting a Real Madrid side-and particularly coach Jose Mourinho-still seething following an ill-tempered loss at home last week. Barcelona, though, is also under investigation after an angry scuffle between players and officials from both teams at halftime resulted in substitute goalkeeper Jose Pinto being sent off. It means the repercussions from the first leg that scarred the reputations of both sides could still be felt long after the final whistle goes at the Camp Nou. But Madrid has already started stoking the tensions as it tries to overturn a 2-0 deficit and enable Mourinho to reach a second successive final, having triumphed with Inter Milan against Bayern Munich last May. Madrid has posted a video on its website calling on Belgian referee Frank de Bleeckere to avoid "falling for Barcelona's theater." "We believe we can do it," midfielder Kaka said. "Madrid can never stop fighting." Barcelona, whose lead was secured by Lionel Messi's double, is focused on the health of its injury-ravaged defense. Center back Gabriel Milito tore a muscle in his left leg in Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad to join an injury list that already includes Adriano and Eric Abidal, although left back Maxwell could return on Tuesday. That loss to Real Sociedad was Barcelona's first in the league in seven months. But with four games to go, Pep Guardiola's side still enjoys an eight-point lead over Madrid, which also lost to Zaragoza having rested several players.