At the end of a meeting worthy of the Champions League, FC Barcelona snatched the draw against Manchester United (2-2) this Thursday at Camp Nou, as part of the first leg play-offs for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
Mitig return to Camp Nou for Casemiro.
Spectacle awaited, spectacle there was. FC Barcelona and Manchester United shared the points (2-2), but above all they offered a very good game of football to the Camp Nou spectators this Thursday, as part of the first leg play-offs for the knockout stages of the Europa League .
While waiting for the return leg of Old Trafford in a week, which we hope will be as lively as today’s, the Red Devils have put an end to the beautiful series of 11 consecutive victories for the Blaugrana. And it is rather deserved in view of their fine performance.
Three crazy minutes after the break!
In a stadium filled, and almost exclusively by Barcelona supporters, Bara quickly set foot on the leather. But the visitors lit the first fuse thanks to Fernandes, blocked by Alba. Very quickly, the Blaugrana reacted: Lewandowski tested De Gea’s gloves, Pedri grated his left foot, then… not much more, if not a sterile domination. The Red Devils did not need many balloons to worry Ter Stegen, author of two superb parades in front of Weghorst then Rashford!
Before the break, Alba was also close to making the difference, but De Gea sealed his angle well. A start, followed by a hard blow, since Pedri came out on injury… Unfortunately for the show? In theory, yes. And yet, after the outing of the genius from the Canary Islands, the match went crazy: Raphinha, with an incredible half-volley, then Sancho, author of a huge miss, almost opened the scoring. Then Alonso did it well and truly, from a corner (1-0, 50th)… before Rashford calmed Camp Nou, 180 seconds later (1-1, 53rd)!
Raphinha catches up!
Crazy game? Completely crazy: Kound shook the bad nets in the crowd, and the Red Devils took the lead (1-2, 59th)! Massive blow for the Blaugrana, who took time to put an end to the bleeding behind. Without succeeding in finding the spark in front, the fault was a huge defensive performance by Erik ten Hag’s men, carried by a great Varane. Until this seemingly innocuous cross from Raphinha, who did not touch anyone… and ended his race in the goal of De Gea (2-2, 76th)! What a scenario!
Completely crazy, crazy… The qualifiers ended up missing when Casemiro pushed the ball back on his own post shortly before added time, before seeing his goalkeeper pull off an incredible save in front of Fati! Draw, therefore, and see you in a week at Old Trafford for the return leg. Hoping for the same spectacle as today. In any case, look forward to next Thursday…
Match score: 8/10
We expected a superb show, we got it. The first period didn’t necessarily deliver on all of its promises, but the second act made up for it. What intensity, what rhythm and what suspense! Add that to high class gestures, beautiful goals and that sweet perfume of the Champions League, and you get a very nice note.
The goals :
– On a corner, Raphinha rolls up to find Marcos Alonso at the far post. Left alone by Fred, the Spaniard finished with a header (1-0, 50′).
– Launched into the area by Fred, Rashford does not ask questions and hits hard from a close angle, low to the ground, to deceive Ter Stegen (1-1, 53rd).
– On a corner play two, Rashford easily eliminates Raphinha, enters the area and crosses strong. Fernandes deflects the ball… on Kound, who scores against his camp (1-2, 59th).
– Found on the right side by Kound, Raphinha gets back on his left foot and wraps his cross, which passes in front of Lewandowski and between Varane’s legs… to finish in the back of the net (2-2, 76th)!
Players’ NOTES
Maxifoot has assigned a score (out of 10) comments on each player.
Man of the match: Marcus Rashford (8/10)
2023, the year of Rashford? On fire since returning from a World Cup he hasn’t played, the England striker has had another big game at Camp Nou with the equalizing goal and most of the work done by himself on the 2-1.
FC BARCELONA :
Coming soon: discover the ratings and comments on FC BARCELONA players, updated in a few moments…
MANCHESTER UTD :
Coming soon: Check out MANCHESTER UTD player ratings and commentary, updated shortly…
+ Find the results and the classification of the Europa League on Maxifoot
And for you, who were the best and worst players of the match? Comment in the “comments” box below!
FC BARCELONA 2-2 MANCHESTER UTD (mid-time: 0-0) – EUROPA LEAGUE – 1/16 finals
Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona – Referee: Maurizio Mariani, Italy
Goals : Marcos Alonso (50th) Raphinha (76th) for FC BARCELONE – M. Rashford (53rd) J. Kound (59th, csc) for MANCHESTER UTD
Warnings :
FC BARCELONA :
MANCHESTER UTD :
