Barcelona escapes Galatasaray scare as they book their spot in UEFA Europa league Quarter final.
Barcelona defeated Galatasaray 1:0 to go through to the quarter final as Galatasaray threatened to eliminate the Catalans with thier direct approach.
The turkey heavyweight drew the first leg with la Liga side 0:0 and all the teams that have been to the telecom stadium know how vicious the Galatasaray fans can be.
Pedri
The first goal came through a corner as Alexandru Cicaldau swung in a beautiful set piece as Marcao scored with a diving header after escaping his marker.The gala fans in wild jubilations after their side put in a spirited display in the first 30minutes.
Barcelona responded almost instantly as the goal served as a wake up call, with Pedri Gonzalez scoring a beauty after a series of intricate passes which brought back memories of Tiki taka era.
The red-hot Aubameyang made it 2:1 on the 49th minutes as he was on hand to tap in Frankie De Jong’s pass, the Gabonese making it seven goals in seven games since he joined Barcelona.
Inaki pena the goalkeeper on loan from barcelona, kept his parent team out in the first leg in Camp Nou but could do nothing about both goals, although it was a great auditions for the goalie who is touted as the long term replacement for Mar Andre Ter Stegen.
Gavi was excellent in the middle as he always pressed the opponents with or without the ball and he also made some key passes during the game.
Galatasaray threatened to pull a goal back through fomer Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis who was checked by pique, the Spanish defender was rock solid in the match and Left the game in some discomfort as he was replaced by clement Lenglet.
Jodi Alba was shown a yellow card in the game as he kicked the ball in retaliation to the Galatasaray fans threw things at him.
with 20 minutes to play Barca controlled possession and Memphis Depay almost scored a goal.Ferran Torres hit the post in stoppage time as they ran out 1:2 winners dispite the nerve start and Galatasaray scary fans.
With the El clasico three days from now Barcelona would be worried as Sergio Dest got injured and was replaced by the impressive Ronald Araujo who put in a good shit against Galatasaray.
Xavi Hernández speaking after the game said “They have defended very well and this victory has a lot of merit. Congratulations to the players because they have known how and when to attack and we are very happy for the work and effort, we have won at a very complicated ground.”
It’s now 11 games unbeaten in a row for the Barcelona side has Xavi continues to imprint his ideas and philosophy on this Barcelona team.
In recent event, Barcelona has been drawn to play Eintracht Frankfurt in the Quater Final, on the 7th of April away in Germany, before returning to Sportify Camp Nuo a week later for the return leg.
