Stuttgart gave reigning champions Barcelona all they had in their Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday, but the Spanish side kept their cool to draw 1-1 and enter the second leg as clear favorites.
The high-tempo German side had the best first half by far, with Brazilian-born striker Cacau, fresh from four goals against Cologne on Saturday, stunning the Catalans with a goal on 25 minutes.
A perfectly-delivered cross from Timo Gebhart found Cacau on the far post, who headed it powerfully past Victor Valdes’ outstretched arm.
Three minutes later Stuttgart had a strong shout for a penalty, for a handball, turned down by referee Bjorn Kuipers as Pavel Pogrebnyak’s cross hit Gerard Pique’s arm. Read more…
