“Sunk at home. Barcelona played like a stranger in their own stadium”
Emotional Frankfurters in the semi-finals – “It burns into your heart”
Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner was overjoyed after the sensational victory at FC Barcelona and the semi-finals in the Europa League. “It’s the emotional reward that no money in the world can buy,” said the coach.
Eintracht Frankfurt defeats FC Barcelona and turns the game into a home game. 25,000 fans are at Camp Nou. Barca coach Xavi calls it a “planning error”. The Spanish media speak of a “historic situation”.
Barcelona’s head coach Xavi Hernandez voiced critical tones about the entry regulations at the Camp Nou after the Europa League defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt. This was “a planning error,” said the former world-class soccer player late on Thursday evening after the 3-2 defeat against the Hessians, who advanced to the semi-finals. In the huge Camp Nou, there were estimated to be between 25,000 Frankfurt fans who loudly outvoted the supporters of the home team.
At the beginning of the second half, some of the Barcelona fans left the stadium and only returned after about ten minutes. Xavi likened the match to a final where half the fans were for one team and half the fans were for the other team. Something like that shouldn’t happen in such an important game. Frankfurt had received a contingent of fewer than 5,000 tickets. However, numerous supporters secured cards in other ways and used foreign credit cards, for example.
All in white: Frankfurt’s players celebrate with thousands of fans
What: Getty Images/David Ramos
The international media also looked fascinated at the Camp Nou, populated by Eintracht fans. The press reviews.
Spain
Sports world: “What a disappointment! It was known that Eintracht Frankfurt would be a dangerous rival. But no one saw it coming, it was also going to be one of the saddest nights in Camp Nou history. Both in terms of the sporting result with a much too late reaction and because the stadium was taken over by the opponent. A Eintracht, who could hardly believe what was happening, walked comfortably through a Camp Nou packed with German fans, while Barcelona could not turn the tide of the game and once again suffered shipwreck at European level.
Brand: “Another title Barça eludes. A great harmony gave Xavi’s men no chance at the Camp Nou with almost 20,000 German supporters. Eintracht Frankfurt made it very clear to Barça that they still have a long way to go to regain their say in Europe. The Easter holidays also got in the way of the Azulgranas because the forces in the stands were evenly balanced. Big mistake by Barça that there were so many rival fans in a game as important as this.”
AS: “Sunk at home. Barcelona played like a stranger at home and missed the best option of winning a title. Not only did they fail in sport, which can happen, but even worse was the shame as a club when Barça’s stadium became the Waldstadion, with more Germans than Catalans and the feeling of being a stranger in your own homeland. A historic situation in which Barcelona were the first club to play the first two rounds in the opposing field.”
Sport: “Barça leaves Europe on a nightmarish night. The clearly inferior Barça team were overwhelmed by the circumstances, although they fought until the end. Most of the stands were occupied by Eintracht supporters. A painful farewell to Europe with a team not up to the task on the pitch, but most importantly with a majority of Eintracht fans in the stands, an outrageous process that needs to be thoroughly investigated. This isn’t meant to be an excuse but it’s understandable that the Azulgranas were stunned to play as visitors at home from the first minute. This has never happened before.”
Italy
The Gazzetta dello Sport: “What a sad end for Barça, Eintracht hit the bull’s eye. The Germans dominate and score three times, the Blaugrana show a reaction but it’s not enough. On a surreal night at the Camp Nou, Xavi’s 15-match undefeated side lost 3-2. Barça’s defeat started at the ticket office.”
Great Britain
The Times: “Barça falls out of the Europa League, Eintracht Frankfurt manages a shock victory. Inspired by the incredible crowd of 20,000 traveling fans, Frankfurt trumped the Catalans.”
Team photo for eternity
What: Getty Images/David Ramos
The Sun: “Auba and Co. humiliated as the giant is overthrown at Camp Nou.”
Mirror: “Humiliation! Barcelona kicked out of the Europa League in a big shock by Eintracht Frankfurt.”
Switzerland
Blick: “Eintracht coup at Camp Nou: Frankfurt throws Barça out of the Europa League.”
Austria
Kronen newspaper: “Sensation! Glasner’s unity humiliates Barcelona. Insanity! Eintracht Frankfurt (…) won 3-2 at big FC Barcelona on Thursday after leading 3-0 and is in the semi-finals of the Europa League.”
France
The Team: “Barca’s disillusionment. Eintracht Frankfurt created the sensation and prevailed at the Camp Nou, which was mostly decked out in white.”
