After an exciting first leg clash between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at the Sporty Camp Nou Stadium, a game which produced four quality goals
After an exciting first leg clash between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at the Sporty Camp Nou Stadium, a game which produced four quality goals (two from each side) is yet to be decided at the Theatre of dream (Old Trafford) tonight.
Both teams who are in the form of their life are confident in progressing to the next stage of the competition
After a 3-0 win over Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag apparently told the fans to “make sure you are there” on Thursday for the big game against Barcelona after a scintillating 2-2 draw at Camp Nou last week. Little wonder because this could be a season-defining week for the Red Devils with this second leg UEFA Europa League (UEL) playoffs followed by the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
With an incredible record at home for the Red Devils, having lost just two of their last 11 UEFA home games recording 6 Wins and 3 Draws however all were defeats against Spanish clubs. United have subsequently gone unbeaten in 17 competitive home matches with 15 Wins and 2 Draws signalling Old Trafford’s return to the famous fortress that it once was.
Barcelona on the other hand will have to repeat those heroics here without the suspended Gavi and injured Pedri. Manager Xavi Hernández was “proud” of his side in the first-leg which they followed up with a 2-0 win over Cádiz on Sunday to maintain an eight-point lead at the top in La Liga. Making it an incredible 18-match unbeaten run with 16 Wins and 2 Draws means Barcelona are unlikely to be fazed by United’s recent home dominance.
Xavi may still be worried about his team’s travels in Europe amid an underwhelming record across their last nine UEFA road trips having a record of 3 Wins, 2 Draws and 4 Losses.
The Catalans do not particularly have fond memories of England either with their recent visit ending in a 4-0 thumping at Liverpool, their heaviest against any Premier League club.
By: Herosportgh.com/ Solomon Duah (Sports Atom)
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