Ibrahimovic rescues Barça as stubborn Stuttgart fall short

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC’S second-half equaliser earned Champions League holders Barcelona a hard- fought draw from the first leg of their last-16 tie against Stuttgart last night.

Cacau, fresh from his four-goal haul against Cologne at the weekend, gave Stuttgart a deserved half-time lead but Ibrahimovic struck just after the interval to put Barça in the box seat heading to the Nou Camp.

Barça were boosted by the return to action of Xavi and Ibrahimovic, who both missed Saturday’s 4-0 win over Racing Santander through injury, but neither of them had much chance to shine in the first half.