Barcelona and Manchester United shared a gripping 2-2 draw at Camp Nou on Thursday as the 2 European heavyweights traded blows in an intense Europa League play-off first leg.
Marcos Alonso despatched Barcelona in entrance with a header however the very good Marcus Rashford drilled house to degree for the guests and helped drive a Jules Kounde personal aim which gave United the lead.
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Raphinha’s cross flew in to drag Barcelona degree and so they would possibly gained the sport when Andreas Christensen hit the publish late on, whereas the hosts additionally needed a penalty after Fred appeared to deal with within the field.
Xavi Hernandez and Erik ten Hag’s sides are two of probably the most in-form groups in Europe and delivered a exceptional spectacle.
Having twice clashed in Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, this Europa League duel provided an enthralling take a look at of every group’s current enhancements.
Xavi surprisingly dropped Christensen and Alejandro Balde for Alonso and Jordi Alba, beginning with Ronald Araujo at proper again.
United deployed in-form Rashford up entrance, with Wout Weghorst taking part in in a withdrawn position as an atypical No 10.
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The guests have been and not using a host of gamers together with Christian Eriksen, Antony and the suspended Lisandro Martinez, whereas Barcelona have been lacking injured duo Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets.
David de Gea parried a Robert Lewandowski drive early on as Barcelona began the stronger, with Alonso curling over a free-kick and Pedri volleying off-target.
The Pink Devils quickly improved, with Frenkie de Jong deflecting a Jadon Sancho effort narrowly broad of his personal aim.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, in glowing kind this season, made an outstanding save from Weghorst when via on aim after which denied Rashford.
On the different finish De Gea saved from Alba as he burst into the realm, earlier than Barcelona misplaced midfield maestro Pedri to a thigh damage earlier than the break.
Raphinha lashed a spectacular effort inches broad earlier than organising Alonso from a nook, with the Spaniard heading Barcelona in entrance after 50 minutes.
The defender escaped the attentions of Fred on the far publish and celebrated by elevating a finger to the sky in a tribute to his father, a former Barcelona participant, who died final week.
Nevertheless Rashford pulled United again degree with a pointy close to publish end previous Ter Stegen after breezing previous Alonso simply two minutes later.
United took the lead earlier than the hour mark when Rashford drove into the field and his cross was flicked on, with Kounde inadvertently shouldering the ball into his personal internet.
This time Barcelona battled again.
Raphinha, taking part in effectively within the absence of Dembele, curled a vicious cross into the realm which flew previous Lewandowski and into the far nook to degree.
Christensen hit the publish and De Gea made a tremendous save to foil Ansu Fati late on as Barcelona took management within the last phases however couldn’t discover a winner.
Xavi warned in his press convention that the sport wouldn’t be gained or misplaced within the first leg, and it’s completely poised for the second leg at Outdated Trafford subsequent week.
FULL EUROPA LEAGUE RESULTS
RB Salzburg 1-0 Roma
Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United
Ajax 0-0 Union Berlin
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Rennes
Sevilla 3-0 PSV Eindhoven
Sporting 1-1 FC Midtjylland
Juventus 1-1 Nantes
Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 AS Monaco