Frankfurt, Wolfsburg, Paris, Lyon into semis
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Article summary
Holders FFC Frankfurt pipped Rosengård on penalties to set up a semi-final with Wolfsburg while Paris Saint-Germain scored late against Barcelona and now face Lyon.
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Article body
- Holders Frankfurt need penalties to set up all-German semi-final with Wolfsburg
- Late Paris goal against Barcelona ensures they face Lyon in last four
- Franco-German final guaranteed on 26 May in Reggio Emilia
- Paris and Wolfsburg can still win both men's and women's titles
- Tournament stats
Road to the final:
Semi-finals (23/24 April & 30 April/1 May)
1 Lyon v Paris Saint-Germain
2 Wolfsburg v FFC Frankfurt (holders)
Final (26 May, Stadio Città del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia)
Winner Semi-final 2 v Winner Semi-final 1
Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Barcelona (agg: 1-0)
Having dominated but been frustrated last week in Barcelona, it was a similar story for last season's semi-finalists Paris as they just could not find any way past their visitors in a meeting of two teams aiming for a unique men's and women's UEFA Champions League double.
However with just four minutes left substitute Rosana, who only signed for Paris last month, crossed from deep for fellow Brazilian Cristiane to send a diving header past the sprawling Sandra Paños, who had performed so well to keep Barcelona in the tie. Paris now face Lyon but for the away first leg will be without suspended Shirley Cruz Traña and Jessica Houara-D’Hommeaux.
FFC Frankfurt 0-1 Rosengård (agg: 1-1, Frankfurt win 5-4 on pens)
The holders made their way through but just as in the last 16 against LSK Kvinner, they needed penalties after letting a first-leg lead slip at home. Rosengård, still in Swedish pre-season, had a training week between the first leg in Malmo and tonight, and the visitors looked energetic throughout. So it was not a surprise when Sara Bjork Gunnarsdóttir lopped in a 28th-minute header from a high cross.
Either side could have won it from there, particularly late in extra time when Rosengård substitute Nataša Andonova went close and then Frankfurt's Simone Laudehr had a shot cleared off the line with virtually the last kick. Gunnarsdóttir stepped up to take Rosengård's first penalty and the normal-time scorer missed; every other kick was converted with Marith Priessen's effort decisive.
Brescia 0-3 Wolfsburg (agg: 0-6)
Just like on their way to victory in 2014 when they beat Turbine Potsdsam in the last four, Wolfsburg face an all-German semi-final against Frankfurt after repeating their first-leg scoreline against Brescia, who made it this far for the first time.
Zsanett Jakabfi scored twice to end any lingering hopes Brescia had of getting back into the tie and Ramona Bachmann struck from distance to add loss to the scoreline. Cristiana Girelli missed Brescia's best chances as the home side were unfortunate not to get a consolation, and they lost Roberta D'Adda to an 85th-minute red card after two bookings.
Slavia Praha 0-0 Lyon (agg: 1-9)
Lyon had 30 shots at Eden Stadium but Slavia bowed out of the tournament with pride after a well-organised performance. Goalkeeper Bára Votíková made several good saves while Ada Hegerberg, who had scored twice in all five of Lyon's previous European games this season including in last week's first leg, drew a blank but did only just miss the top corner from distance.
Tereza Kožárová's header from Pavla Benýrová's cross was saved in the 42nd minute for Slavia's best chance, but the home fans showed their appreciation for their club's first run to the quarter-finals. Lyon now have the chance to avenge their loss to Paris in the round of 16 last season.