Barcelona fought their way to the last eight in the Europa League in Istanbul on Thursday. Xavi’s men fell behind against Galatasaray, but a wonderful solo by Pedri and a tap by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang repaired the damage: 1-2. Frenkie de Jong, with a smart assist, played an important part in Barça’s second goal. Furthermore, SC Braga reached the quarterfinals with a draw at AS Monaco (1-1), while Bayer Leverkusen fell short against Atalanta (0-1).
Galatasaray – Barcelona 1-2
Sergiño Dest and Frenkie de Jong met two former Eredivisionists at Galatasaray as basic players of Barcelona: Patrick van Aanholt and Ryan Babel. Both teams proved to be quite evenly matched, just like last week – when it ended 0-0. Bafétimbi Gomis broke through on behalf of the Turks, cut Eric García, but saw Jordi Alba block at the last minute. On the other side, Frenkie de Jong was completely released by Sergio Busquets, after which the ex-Ajacied destroyed the greatest chance until then by sliding just wide with the left.
† Pedri move @FCBarcelona level with an unparalleled goal! †#GALBAR #UEL pic.twitter.com/eKuKAVE6Xq
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 17, 2022
Babel ruffed Alba on the right wing and earned a corner, from which Marcão would head in the opening goal by dealing with his opponent Ferran Torres: 1-0. Barça tied the score eight minutes before the end thanks to Pedri, who remained icy calm in the penalty area and outsmarted his direct opponents with two goal kicks in a row. The midfielder was then able to quietly tap the ball: 1-1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed the top of the bar in the last minute of the first half.
Barça continued their strong line after the break and took the lead straight away. Shots by Busquets and Pedri were miraculously turned away, after which Frenkie de Jong cleverly headed the ball from near the post to the free Aubameyang: 1-2. Dest has to be replaced twenty minutes before time with an apparent hamstring injury. Galatasaray tried, but was barely able to hurt Barca. The most dangerous effort came from Van Aanholt, whose shot from enormous distance just over the crossbar. Memphis Depay came in threateningly in the final phase for the Catalans. The striker gave a free kick to Busquets, who missed in free position, and shot just wide.
AS Monaco – SC Braga 1-1
After the handsome 2-0 win at home, Braga awaited a tough away game in Monaco. The Portuguese made it easy for themselves by taking the lead for twenty minutes. A long-range shot by Abel Ruiz was changed direction en route and Alexander Nübel was therefore only half a hand behind: 0-1. Monaco had to score three times and still tried, including through two good chances for Wissam Ben Yedder, but goalkeeper Matheus played a strong game and kept his goal clean. Axel Disasi brought in another draw for Monaco with a header from a corner in injury time: 1-1. That only hurts Braga in the coefficient ranking, where the team loses one point by not winning.
Bayer Leverkusen – Atalanta 0-1
The badly injured Jeremie Frimpong was replaced at Leverkusen by compatriot Timothy Fosu-Mensah, while Mitchel Bakker was remarkably posted as left winger. Hans Hateboer, Marten de Roon and Teun Koopmeiners started in the base with the Italians and defended a 3-2 lead from the first leg. Bakker prepared Leverkusen’s best chance before half-time, which Moussa Diaby couldn’t get in. Atalanta mainly countered and became dangerous through Luis Muriel, who saw his bet blocked. Immediately after the break, Leverkusen could have scored, but the outlaw Moussa Diaby and Charles Aranguiz couldn’t get the ball in. Bakker hit the side net twenty minutes before time. In injury time, Jérémie Boga put an end to the German illusions with a brilliant dribble in the counter: 0-1.