(Football news) The battle between two European heavyweights Barcelona and Manchester United lived up to the billing with the game concluding in a high scoring draw at the Camp Nou. In-form forward Marcus Rashford, who went into the game with praises from both Xavi and Erik ten Hag scored Manchester United’s equaliser in the 52nd minute, cancelling out Marcos Alonso’s goal just two minutes prior.
The visitors then took the lead in the 59th minute when Jules Kounde scored an own goal with Rashford once again being instrumental in the build up but Raphinha made it 2-2 in the 76th minute to set up an exciting second leg tie. In team news, Barcelona made two changes to the side that defeated Villarreal with Marcos Alonso replacing his former Chelsea team-mate Andreas Christensen at centre-back and Jordi Alba coming in for Alejandro Balde at left-back. As for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag made three changes with Raphael Varane, Casemiro and Aaron Wan-Bissaka replacing Harry Maguire, Marcel Sabitzer and Diogo Dalot.
Speaking after the match, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said “If you face No 1 of Spain in an away game and you are that dominant, you can see it as a positive. We should have won this game so we have steps to go. Two good teams on a high level and I think it was really enjoyable to watch. I think everyone agrees it was a really high performance level from both teams. I was really happy with our performance against a strong team.
“The criticism is to be more clinical and finish chances. That’s what we didn’t do. We created many chances – more than you can expect, actually – and there’s a little bit of disappointment that we didn’t score them. We should have scored at least four goals tonight. I have to make the point that it’s a big influence, not only on this game but on this round, when on 2-1 there is a clear foul on Rashford. You can discuss if it’s in the box or outside the box, but definitely it’s a red card.
“I asked the referee ‘why’ and he said ‘it was outside the box and there was no foul’. I think the linesman and the referee were in very good positions to see, and we have the VAR. It’s not good. It was a really bad decision and I can’t understand. Maybe they were impressed by the pressure Barca made, but it can’t be on the highest European level.”
Barcelona manager Xavi said “It was a really tough game with a lot of intensity, passion, rhythm. We have to be proud because we competed really well until the end. We could have won with the last two chances, but we played today against a top team in Europe. I think Manchester [United] is coming back and today they showed their best version and now we have to compete well in Old Trafford.
“I think both teams are more or less in the same moment, in the same position. I said to Ten Hag ‘congratulations’ because he’s doing very well. They are Manchester United so this could be a final, semi-final, and quarter-final of Champions League. But now we are in the Europa League and it was a very good performance from both teams.”
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