Ferran Torres’ second-half strike prevented the German side from winning the first leg on home soil.
Eintracht Frankfurt held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday. The Catalans will go into the second leg without an advantage as they failed to get a match-winner in Germany.
Another first-leg scare for Barca!
Eintracht Frankfurt have been extremely tough to beat in Bundesliga in recent weeks. The Eagles have not lost a game since their defeat against Bayern Munich on February 26, conceding only two goals.
Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez started the game with two surprise changes to his lineup. He used Gavi and Adama Traore ahead of Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele. However, that was not enough to make opportunities for Barca attackers behind Frankfurt’s well-organized defence.
Following a goalless first half, the hosts broke the deadlock through Ansgar Knauff in the 48th minute, putting Barca in an even more uncomfortable zone. However, Xavi’s decision to bring both Dembele and De Jong in changed the rhythm of the game.
A stunning build-up play from the pair resulted in Ferran Torres’ equalizer in the 66th minute. The Catalans increased the pressure on Frankfurt’s defence to get the match-winner.
The hosts even went a man down when Tuta received a straight red card for his clumsy challenge on Pedri. However, even that was not enough to break the hosts’ resistance as Barca settled for a stalemate at Deutsche Bank Park.
What’s next for Barca?
Barca were held to draws in the first legs of both of their last two ties in the Europa League. They hope to, once again, bounce back from an underwhelming first-leg result when they meet the Eagles at Camp Nou next week.
Before that, Xavi’s side must lock horns with Levante in their next La Liga game on Sunday.
Player Ratings
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp (6), Ndicka (6), Jakic (6), Sow (6), Kostic (7), Hinteregger (7), Kamada (6), Borre (6), Lindstrom (7), Tuta (5), Knauff (8).
Bench: Hauge (6), Ache (5), Toure (7), Rode (6).
Barcelona: Ter Stegen (7), Pique (6), Araujo (6), Busquets (7), Traore (6), Pedri (7), Alba (6), F. Torres (7), Garcia (7), Aubamenyang (5), Gavi (6).
Bench: F. De Jong (7), Lenglet (7), Dembele (7).
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