✍️ Summary of the game:
A game of two halves tonight. Barca dominated the first half as they had more possession, pressed better and created more chances. Lewandowski opened the score with a penalty kick and Kessie missed on the opportunity to double the lead shortly before the break.
After the break, it was a completely different story. Antony replaced Werghorst for Man United and the home side became more dangerous in attack. The Catalans conceded an early goal as Kessie and Kounde slept on the ball on the right side.
As the half proceeded, United continued their relentless press and added another goal through Antony. Barca were pushed back into their own half at that point, blocking two shots before Antony's match winner.
In the final minutes, Xavi's men tried to level the score but Lewa's show was cleared off the line by Varane. Other than that, Barca had nothing.
For a second year in a row, the Catalans are eliminated from Europa League after failing in the Champions League group stages.
⏰ Full time!
⏱️ 81-90+: Lewandowski catches United on the break but Casemiro fouls to stop him. Frenkie launches a counter, Ferran's final pass is intercepted. Lewa's shot si cleard off the line by Varane.
SpanishBalde (Twitter): "Xavi is a complete shambles in Europe embarrassing stuff."
LeoRoarr10 (Reddit): "We don't have an attacking power really man. Midfield is good, defence has been better. But we need to have the attacking fast players who can whip 10 shots per game man at least."
🔁 Sub: Alonso in / Araujo out
⏱️ 74-80': Vertical attack from United again but Rashford can't finish the move. Marcus then hits the side netting with another shot. Barca are keeping the ball but without any actual scoring chances.
10InfoBlaugrana (Twitter): "We have wingers that offer nothing. They don't offer an advantage, they don't dribble, nothing. It's very hard in Europe."
FreddyTheTeddy93 (Reddit): "This shows that the squad still need a lot of work. That midfield has zero control without Pedri and Gavi. Dembele is also a big loss for us."
🟨 Busquets booked
🔁 Ansu Fati in / Raphinha out
⚽ 73': Goal. Antony hits the bottom corner from inside the box after Barca block two consecutive shots from Garnacho and Fred respectively.
FutGodzy (Twitter): "Nothing surprising, we’re the worst team in European competitions, bottlers."
michaeltheki21 (Reddit): "Let's just hope we don't embarrass ourselves more than is neccesary like we usually do."
⏱️ 66-71': United are dominating possession as of late, attacking more and pressing higher.
grandeherisson (Reddit): "Ferran in and 4-3-3. Either win it or go out with style!"
🟨 Lewandowski booked
🔁 Sub: Ferran in / Roberto out
⏱️ 56-65': Kounde losses the ball in possession which leads to another dangerous counter. Bruno smashes the ball into Frenkie as the latter is lying on the ground after a foul. Frenkie finds Kounde with an incredible cross, De Gea saves the Frenchman's header. Long-range attempt from Kessie saved.
JuannDis (Twitter): "What Bruno Fernandes has been doing borders on total stupidity. And he is the captain of the team. Always on the limit, in the best or worst decision. It's incredible."
RuutuTwo (Reddit): "The difference between the halves is startling. They need to figure out a way to solve this problem."
🟨 Roberto booked
⏱️ 48-55': Antony runs into the box, Christensen blocks his shot with a sliding tackle. Rashoford's shot from a tight angle is off target. United are much better, much more intense after the break. as Barca are struggling to get out of their own half. Lont shot from Antony saved by Ter Stegen.
kevvwill (Twitter): "Sergi Roberto poor again. Xavi has to start looking for solutions to inject energy into the attack. Hope Torres has the mojo? No idea."
Faposaurus-Rex13 (Reddit): "do these guys not know how to pass anymore? absolutely terrible."
⚽ 47': Goal. Fred levels the score after Barca's defence allow him to receive a pass between the lines. A good shot to the bottom corner that left Ter Stegen without a chance.
PSGOgi (Twitter): "That's what we get for not taking our chances. Now we're eliminated. Just like that. Great job fellas."
LarryPeru (Reddit): "And Kounde has been our most overrated signing. Let us down on that goal."
⏰ Second half, here we go!
📝 Here are our half-time ratings:
Impressed: Balde 8.5, Busquets 8
Great: Lewandowski 7.5, De Jong 7.5, Araujo 7.5, Ter Stegen 7.5
Solid: Kessie 7, Roberto 7, Christensen 7
Okay: Raphinha 6.5, Kounde 6
✍️ Brief summary of the game so far:
It's been an intense 45 minutes with decent scoring chances. Man United had the chance to go up in the opening minutes after a poor pass from Kounde but the Portuguese guy failed to beat Ter Stegen from an angle.
After that chance, though, it was Barca who dominated the game. Balde won a penalty after spinning Burno (the Portuguese guy) in the box. Lewa converted it, although it wasn't the best penalty kick - De Geat got his hand on it.
Despite being 1-0 down, the home side didn't create any clear scoring chances. Fred nearly lobbed Ter Stegen but that was an accident, he was actually going for a cross.
The game ended with Barca in possession, pressing really high. Busquets passing and movement has been crucial in giving us an advantage in the midd.
Barca had the chance to double their lead after Roberto won a ball near the opposite area but Kessie's shot was blocked.
⏰ Half-time!
⏱️ 41-45': Barca's counter-pressing working wonders as Kessie wins a foul near United's area. Frenkie's cross results in a corner kick for us. Roberto intercepts the pass from De Gea, Kessie's follow-up shot is blocked.
mxdric (Twitter): "United have not shown up at all in the first half, Rashford heroball can't work every week, they are so lucky that Barcelona are missing Pedri/Gavi/Dembouz here, would have been over already"
m1sukenaide (Reddit): "Ffs that was a golden opportunity.. we need to take advantage of de Geas terrible distribution."
mxdric (Twitter): "United have not shown up at all in the first half, Rashford heroball can't work every week, they are so lucky that Barcelona are missing Pedri/Gavi/Dembouz here, would have been over already"
⏱️ 31-40': Busquets intercepts a lofted pass into the box. Fred nearly lobs Ter Stegen as his cross goes inches over the bar. Raphinha's long-ranger goes over the bar again.
On another note, the culers are outsinging the locals at Old Trafford with "Un dia de partit" clearly audible.
redmelon7896 (Reddit): "I was thinking where is our midfield intensity. And then I remembered Gavi is not playing."
BCN_Raphi (Twitter): "We‘re controlling the game with Roberto and Kessie."
⏱️ 19-30': Bruno's weak volley is easily caught by Ter Stegen. Busquets breaking the lines with his passes in the middle, very confident on the ball so far. Lisandro fouls on Lewandowski, escapes the yellow card again.
Zeee15 (Reddit): "I'm glad he [Lewandowski] scored. But we need to change our penalty taker."
xOluwaseyi (Twitter): "Busquets, we see your work sir."
⚽ 18': GOAL! Lewandowski converts the penalty! De Geta gets his hand on the ball but it isn't enough to keep the ball out.
SrtaLexus23 (Twitter): "The fact that Xavi can't decide between Jordi Alba and Balde is unexplainable for us."
cyborgsid2 (Reddit): "United are rattled. Need to score one more, and they'll collapse."
⏱️ 11-17': Rashford beats Kounde to enter the box, Busquets stops him with a tackle. Balde wins a penalty after spinning Bruno in the penalty box.
⏱️ 1-10': Kounde misplaces a pass in the middle, Bruno one-on-one from an angle but Ter Stegen saves the shot. Raphinha's curler is way off target. Balde makes a good run forward, Fred has to foul to stop him. Man United are pressing high, making it difficult for Barca to control the ball.
DanielSaphoran (Reddit): "Balde offering more in 10 mins than Alba did all of last game."
GoalDiggerFCB (Twitter): "Every time i see Balde i hate Xavi for benching him..."
⏰ Kick-off!
👉 Starting XI reminder
Man United XI: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Casemiro; Bruno; Sancho, Bruno, Rashford; Weghorst.
Barca XI: Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Kessie, Busquets, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Roberto.
👋 Hello, Cules! Welcome to Tribuna.com's live coverage of the Europa League match between Barcelona and Manchester United. What are your thoughts ahead of the clash? Let's hear them in the comments👇
