In a great game, the Catalans and the Red Devils drew 2-2 at Camp Nou, for the first leg of qualifying for the second UEFA Club Tournament, vying for a place in the round of 16. Next week is revenge.
A game of Champions in the Europa League. 12 years ago, Barcelona and Manchester United They played in the UEFA Champions League final, at Wembley, with Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney as banners for each institution. Now, the Catalans and Diablos Rojos have opened their series with the aim of reaching the knockout stages of the second club competition on the Old Continent. At Spotify Camp Nou, they didn’t disappoint. In a formidable duel, they drew 2-2, for the first leg of the playoffs, equivalent to the round of 16.
Beyond the specific weight of each cast, the game found Spanish and English at a good time. Xavi Hernández’s men are leaders in La Liga, while Erik ten Hag’s pupils have achieved a sustained increase in performance that puts them in the Premier League’s top positions. The duel had two different periods. The second had all the emotions that the first lacked.
In the first 45 minutes, Barcelona dominated the ball but the closest scoring chances came from United. He had at least three chances. Jadon Sancho failed first, at 26′. Two minutes later, lanky Dutchman Weghorst (the same man from a media encounter with Messi at the World Cup in Qatar) loses hand in hand with Ter Stegen. And at 33′, Marcus Rashford almost opened the account, but his shot was blocked by the Catalans’ German goalkeeper. Xavi’s lamentations also went through the forced departure of Pedri, injured.
For the second period, the best would come. In less than 10 minutes, the game was turned upside down with three scores. At 50′, Barcelona opened the account with a header from Marcos Alonso, out of a corner. Pure emotion for the former Chelsea, since his father died a few days ago. The defender dedicated it to his father. The advantage will not last long for the locals.
Only three minutes have passed and Manchester United have found equality thanks to Marcus Rashford, with a tight shot that slips into Ter Stegen’s first post. The British striker’s form is complete. After the World Cup in Qatar, in which he participated for Gareth Southgate’s team, he posted 14 goals in 16 games, an exceptional figure. And those of Old Trafford would turn the tide in the 59th minute, thanks to an own goal from Jules Koundé, accidentally kicking the ball after a cross.
He was missing more in a matchup that featured a high-flying second game. The culés tried to find variants to get closer to David De Gea’s goal. For example, through the set ball. In the 68th minute, a free kick from Lewandowski went very close to the goal. It was a warning of what was to come in the 76′. Loaded on the right, with a modified profile, the Brazilian Raphinha sends the ball into the area and no one intervenes in the trajectory, slipping into the visitor’s goal. Old Leeds goal for 2-2. Anything can happen in the epilogue.
A duel of similar characteristics also had its controversy. In the last line, all Barcelona angrily demanded an alleged penalty from Fred’s hand. TV footage shows the contact, however Italian referee Maurizio Mariani did not use VAR.
In short, the match ended in a tie which leaves the series completely open to revenge, since away goals are no longer a factor in the event of a goal tie. The return will be next week, in Manchester.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
