Champions League: Guardiola perturbed by United showdown

Red Devils manager satisfied with side’s 1-1 drawn in first leg

MANCHESTER: Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola showed flashes of exasperation after the defending champions were held 1-1 at Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Guardiola afterwards expressed dissatisfaction with Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo, who sent off Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger showing him a second yellow card after diving in on Wayne Rooney.

Centre-back Javi Martinez was also booked for a foul on Javier Hernandez and will miss the second leg on April 9.

"I spoke with the referee, and he knows my opinion that it was not fair," said Guardiola.

Meanwhile, Guardiola also displayed some positivity that such things do happen during an intense encounter.

"It's alright. To win the Champions League, you have to overcome everything. Sometimes during the season and during the competition such things happen.”

Bayern characteristically enjoyed the lion's share of possession, 70%, but they created only a handful of clear opportunities.

Vidic's header from a Rooney corner gave the hosts a 58th-minute lead, while Schweinsteiger replied nine minutes later, lashing home a controlled half-volley from substitute Mario Mandzukic's knock-down.

United manager David Moyes said that his side’s performance proved that they could compete with Bayern at the Allianz Arena next week.

"Our best football has been in this competition and we'll need to show our best football when we go to Bayern next week," said Moyes.

Mindful of Welbeck's first-half miss, Moyes also urged his players to take whatever chances come their way in the second leg.

"At this level of football, there aren't a lot of opportunities, and when you get them you do need to be clinical and take them."

Xavi not happy with draw

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez did not seem satisfied with his team’s performance as Atletico Madrid have the upper hand heading into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona after holding on for a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou.

"It is what we expected beforehand as Atletico play with great intensity in every game," said Xavi.

"It was difficult for us to create many opportunities. We need to try and score there, but it is not a good result for us."

Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino believes his side did everything in their power to break down a dogged Atletico Madrid.

"When the team has played badly in the past I have said so, but tonight [Tuesday] it is fair to say that the team played very well."

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone also lauded the effort of his players.

"I am very happy,” said Simeone. “The team worked as a group and showed enormous heart.”