Fans upbeat after Nou Camp clash

By Chris Mason
BBC News, Barcelona

Some fans were relieved by the result

Manchester United fans remain optimistic after their team held Barcelona 0-0 in the Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Nou Camp.

Just yards from the stadium, steering wheels are being thumped in delight and there's a chorus of car horns.

A few minutes into the Champions' League semi final first leg, Manchester United have missed a penalty.

The sound of the packed stadium echoes around the city.

Meanwhile, drivers waiting at the traffic lights concentrate on their car radios, as if by looking at them, they'll get an even better idea of what is going on.

I thought the penalty was horrible - I thought we were going to lose it after that but we kept on going, we did our best, and we got a good result Tom Goodall

There is visible relief on the faces of these Catalan cabbies that Cristiano Ronaldo's spot kick was off target.

Half an hour earlier fans were mingling outside the imposing and impressive ground, enjoying the Spanish spring sunshine and even sunbathing - something that appears unlikely to be an option before the return leg in Manchester next week.

As the game wears on it is clear there's not much to separate the teams. Barcelona are dominating possession, but not making much of it.

One fan, improbably dressed from head to toe as Scooby Doo, says he is worried Barcelona are eventually going to make a breakthrough.

Another, fearing there won't be any goals at all, is wondering whether the 550 euros he paid for his ticket from a tout was really worth it.

'Fantastic result'

At the final whistle - it's United's fans who are relieved.

"I thought the penalty was horrible - I thought we were going to lose it after that but we kept on going, we did our best, and we got a good result," says Tom Goodall, 19, from Bournemouth, whilst enjoying a post match pint in the Frankfurt bar just outside the ground.

Hopes were high before the kick-off

Colin Baker, 45, from Middleton in Manchester, agrees.

"It's a fantastic result, fantastic," he says.

"Apart from Ronaldo just slipping up there in the first few minutes with the penalty. But I'm still very, very happy with the result."

But can United win next week, when Barcelona play in Manchester?

"Oh without a doubt. Probably about 2-0. I didn't see any threat from them tonight," says Colin, with confidence.

Colin Greenwood, 45, is similarly upbeat.

"See you at Old Trafford," he shouts playfully, as a group of Barcelona fans walk past heading home.

European football ties don't get much more glamorous than this - two attacking sides, bursting with star players and talented youngsters.

Few here predicted the first leg would end scoreless - but at the half way point this semi-final remains tantalisingly poised.

Next Tuesday's game in Manchester will decide which side will play either Liverpool or Chelsea in the Champions' League Final in Moscow on 21 May.