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BARCELONA – Barcelona and Manchester United shared a gripping 2-2 draw at Camp Nou yesterday as the two European heavyweights traded blows in an intense Europa League play-off first leg.
Marcos Alonso sent Barcelona in front with a header, but the superb Marcus Rashford drilled home to level for the visitors and helped force a Jules Kounde own goal, giving United the lead.
Raphinha’s cross flew in to pull Barcelona level, and they might have won the game, hitting the post late on, while the hosts also wanted a penalty after Fred appeared to handle in the box.
Xavi Hernandez and Erik ten Hag’s sides are two of the most in-form teams in Europe and delivered a remarkable spectacle.
Having twice clashed in Champions League finals in 2009 and 2011, this Europa League duel offered an enthralling test of each team’s recent improvements.
“(We should have been) more clinical finishing chances,” Ten Hag told reporters.
“The disappointment is we didn’t score them, we should have scored a minimum of four goals.”
The coach also complained about a foul by Kounde on Rashford, which went unpunished on the edge of Barcelona’s box.
“We can discuss if it was in the box or outside the box but it’s definitely a red card,” added Ten Hag.
“I asked the referee why. He said it was outside the box and not a foul. The linesman and referee were in a very good position and we have the VAR. I think it was a really bad decision.”
Barcelona coach Xavi argued his side should have been given a penalty for Fred’s handball.
“It’s a stolen penalty,” said Xavi.
“I don’t know why they don’t whistle for penalties for handball now. It seems incredible to me. Incredible.”
Rashford’s 22nd goal
Xavi surprisingly dropped Christensen and Alejandro Balde for Alonso and Jordi Alba, starting with Ronald Araujo at right back.
United deployed the red-hot Rashford up front, with Wout Weghorst playing a withdrawn role as an atypical No 10.
The visitors were without a host of players, including Christian Eriksen, Antony and the suspended Lisandro Martinez, while Barcelona was missing injured duo Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets.
Ten Hag was bolstered by former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro’s availability after missing the team’s last two matches suspended.
At the end of a tight first half Barcelona lost midfield maestro Pedri to a thigh injury and they will be without Gavi in the second leg after he was booked.
Raphinha lashed a spectacular effort inches wide before setting up Alonso from a corner, with the Spaniard heading Barcelona in front after 50 minutes.
The defender escaped the attentions of Fred at the far post and celebrated by raising a finger to the sky in a tribute to his father, a former Barcelona player, who died last week.
However, Rashford pulled United back level with a sharp near-post finish past Ter Stegen after breezing past Alonso just two minutes later.
It was the English striker’s 14th goal in his last 16 games across all competitions and his 22nd of the season.
United took the lead before the hour mark when Rashford drove into the box and his cross was flicked on, with Kounde inadvertently shouldering the ball into his own net.
This time Barcelona battled back.
Raphinha, playing well in the absence of Dembele, curled a vicious cross into the area, which flew past Lewandowski and into the far corner to level.
The Brazilian was furious when he was withdrawn in the final stages and later apologised to his coach.
“He said sorry, I told him it’s OK, I understand it,” said Xavi.
“The bad thing would be if he felt happy with the change. I see it in a positive way, he wants to play and show his qualities.
“They (the players) can even insult me, they can, and that’s fine. You see it as negative, I see it as positive.”
Barcelona hit the post and De Gea made a fine save to foil Ansu Fati later on but Barcelona could not find a winner.
Xavi had warned the game would not be won or lost in the first leg, and it is perfectly poised for the second leg at Old Trafford next week. – AFP, February 17, 2023
