Barcelona 0-0 AC Milan, Final Score

AC Milan are currently somehow being able to keep a clean sheet against Barcelona. Some suspected that this marquee UEFA Champions League quarterfinal could turn into a complete mismatch with Thiago Silva and Ignazio Abate on the sidelines injured, but it's gone well so far. Barcelona look significantly better side, but Milan are able to hold their time of the first leg with a 0-0 draw.

Barcelona had a massive penalty shout in the 16th minute and they were unlucky not to get it. Alexis Sanchez was brought down by Abbiati as he extended for the ball, but the referee waived play on. Abbiati did make significant contact but found no good judgement from refree. Judge for yourself, a penalty should have been given.

Messi set up Xavi Hernandez with a spectacular one-touch give-and-go move in the 26th minute, but Xavi's shot goes straight to the hand of Abbiati. In the 35th minute, Alexis Sanchez found himself one-on-one with Abbiati after a clearance over the top of the defense turned into a scoring opportunity for the Chilean, but Luca Antonini recovered with lucky last tackle.

Barca have all of the possession as expected.

                                       

Arsenal’s 26-year-old striker caused a stir in South Korea

South Korean legend Cha Bum-Kun has apologised after his defence of Park Chu-Young’s decision to delay his military service were criticised. Arsenal’s 26-year-old striker caused a stir in South Korea recently when he confirmed he would avoid his mandatory military service thanks to a 10-year residency visa for Monaco. Fans and journalists have been critical of Park’s decision to defer his service, claiming he had found a loophole and it set a bad example. 

Korean national team coach Choi Kang-Hee opted last week not to comment on the situation either. However, 121-time Korea international and former Bundesliga star Cha backed Park in a personal blog earlier this week. Cha’s statement was criticised and he has now decided to say sorry for his comments. He said he realised the discussion was about the ‘inequality of society in general’. Park’s former national team-mate Lee Young-Pyo has been most vocal in support of the Arsenal man.

QPR continue their battle for English Premier League survival

QPR continue their battle for English Premier League survival with a visit from in-form Arsenal on Saturday. Rangers have been mired in relegation trouble for most of the season, and with eight games left they remain in 18th spot with 25 points. Mark Hughes’ side face a daunting run home as well, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City all still to come after the Gunners’ visit to Loftus Road this week.

QPR have leaked goals this season, keeping just three clean sheets, and have conceded three goals or more on seven occasions. This does not bode well for them as they prepare to face an Arsenal team who have only failed to score four times in 30 matches this season and boasts the league’s top scorer – Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman has scored 26 times in the Premier League this season, just seven goals fewer than QPR’s entire tally, and scored the winner the last time the two sides met at the Emirates Stadium on New Year’s Eve. Another blow for QPR is the four-match ban handed to striker Djibril Cisse after his ugly tackle on Fraizer Campbell in last week’s 3-1 loss to Sunderland.

However, in a spot of good news for Mark Hughes, top scorer Heidar Helguson is hoping to be fit in time to face Arsenal after recovering from a groin injury. The Iceland striker, who has scored eight goals this season, has been out since January and hopes he can make an impact off the bench on his return to the squad.

Arsenal, who are unbeaten in eight matches in the Premier League, will be without defenders Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, while Jack Wilshere remains on course to return from his ankle injury next month.