We now have to get used to it: on European lawns, Barça no longer plays on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. He now plays on Thursday nights. But the Catalans, who had eliminated Naples in the play-off, will not keep a great memory of the first round of 16 of the Europa League in their history. Because they dominated it, without winning it. Ended, therefore, the series of four consecutive victories on which the Blaugranas remained. One might be tempted to think that Xavi’s men will console themselves with a ninth game without defeat in all competitions. But for them, this confrontation against Galatasaray is above all a match without a win.
Highlights, Barça had a lot. In the first period, via Ferran Torres, Traoré or Depay, on a free kick. Then after the break, via Busquets (header), Alba or De Jong, who hit the post.
But you also have to be honest and recognize the solidity of the Turks. Badly embarked in the league (12th in Turkish D1), they made the Europa League their main objective at the end of the season. And also and above all their only way to play the European Cup next year. Beyond the wall they had put in place, the few chances they created proved it.
But if a team deserved to win this match, it is Barça. who tried everything. By the hour mark, Xavi had already made… four changes, bringing in Pique, Busquets, Dembélé and Aubameyang. Just that. But it was not enough. The fault of an excellent Inaki Pena, trained at La Masia on loan from Barça at the Gala last winter. Applauded by the stands of the Camp Nou before the meeting, he deserved as much applause at the end of the match for an XXL performance. If Domenec Torrent, former assistant to… Guardiola in Barcelona (he had Xavi under his orders), and his men managed to achieve the feat of not cashing in, it is largely thanks to their goalkeeper, the man of the encounter. Who will have to put out the same performance in the second leg if the Turks want to achieve the sensation.
Clément and Matazo (Monaco) lose in Braga, Tielemans (Leicester) beats Doku (Rennes)
Several Belgians played on European lawns this Thursday. In the Europa League, Eliot Matazo, established by Philippe Clement, lost with Monaco in Braga (2-0). In the Conference League, Loïs Openda and Vitesse were beaten by Roma (0-1) but still have their chances of qualifying. In the duel between Youri Tielemans (Leicester) and Jérémy Doku (Rennes), it was the first who took the upper hand (2-0). Three former Pro League players also stood out: Ruslan Malinovskiy (ex-Genk) distinguished himself with a goal and two assists in Atalanta’s victory against Leverkusen in the Europa League. In the Conference League, Peter Olayinka (Slavia Prague), former Zulte Waregem, and Cyriel Dessers (Feyenoord, ex-Genk) found the net.
