Barcelona are through to the Europa League quarterfinals after an impressive 2-1 win at Galatasaray on Thursday in the second leg of the round of 16. After a scoreless draw in the first leg, Barca advanced on aggregate, 2-1, stretching the team's unbeaten streak to 11 games and keeping their silverware aspirations alive.
An encouraging start for the hosts saw Galatasaray take a 1-0 lead just 28 minutes in as they controlled the tempo with a ferocious crowd supporting them. It was Brazilian defender Marcao who headed home on a corner kick for the narrow advantage and temporary lead in the tie 28 minutes. But from there, Barca came to life.
With an attack that has been averaging over two goals per game over their last 15 matches, they managed a goal on either side of half time to gain full control and probably should have put away a third.
Young superstar Pedri managed to pull Barca level less than 10 minutes after going down, producing this fine effort:
With all of the momentum behind them, it took just four minutes of the second half to get their first lead of the tie. A wild sequence that featured two fantastic saves by Galatasaray's Inaki Pena led to Aubameyang finishing from close to make it 2-1. Pena, Galatasaray's young Spanish goalkeeper, is actually at the club on loan from Barcelona.
In the end, this was a deserved result for Barca, but it may have come at a cost to both the club and the United States men's national team. Right back Sergino Dest, who was set to play a big part in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, picked up what looked like a muscular injury in the second half and could not continue. It's unclear what his status is moving forward, but it's an issue both Xavi and USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter, who is expected to announce his roster later in the day, will have to deal with together. You can catch Barca's Europa League run and two of final the three USMNT qualifiers on Paramount+.
Date: Thursday, March 17 | Time: 1:45 p.m. ET
Location: NEF Stadyumu -- Istanbul, Turkey
TV and live stream: Paramount+
Odds: Galatasaray +700; Draw +380; Barcelona -270 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
2-1 on the night to the Spanish side, with goals from Pedri and Aubameyang taking them into the last eight. That's 10 matches unbeaten for Barca, who are hitting their stride ahead of Sunday's El Clasico!
Play has resumed after a brief stoppage. That should result in a couple added minutes in addition to what has already been recorded.
Fans throw drinks at Jordi Alba for what they perceive as time wasting, and then the player kicks the ball into the crowd, further escalating things. The ref looks to have temporarily paused the match.
10 minutes to go in Istanbul, and Galatasaray must score one more to force extra time. Feels like there is another goal in this, either for the hosts or potentially Barca on the counter...
The Brazilian makes a crucial tackle on Ferran! He was sent through by Busquets, and the third goal looked like it was coming, but the centerback slid in beautifully at the last second.
Well that didn't take long! Barca come from behind and take a 2-1 lead early in the second half through Auba! Two fantastic saves from Pena looked to deny the Catalans, but some smart play on the rebound sees Aubameyang clean up in front of goal! Seven goals in his last seven games!
Things still level as the second half gets underway, which means this will go to extra time if things stay as is!
While both teams have seven shots apiece, Barcelona leads the possession and xG battle with 68 percent of the ball and an xG of 1.23 to Galatasaray's xG of .40. Most of Barca's number was accumulated on Pedri's goal while Galatasary hasn't had great chances but have made the best of them. While Galatasaray's defense has been stout so far, Pedri's goal showed how fine margins are as he froze three defenders in route to scoring the equalizer. They'll have to be locked in during the second half to hold off Barcelona for much longer.
Adama Traore played Aubameyang into space but he wasn't able to get his header on target as we reach the half level at 1-1. It has been an exciting match so far and that should only ramp up as we get deeper into it.
Barcelona caught Galatasaray's defense in a state of confusion and Pedri danced through to level things at 1-1! Ferran Torres slid him into pace and Pedri did the rest.
What was that marking?
To say that Galatasaray's opener was unexpected is true but they've done much more with their limited possession than Barcelona so far. Xavi's men can't play through the Galatasaray defense and have yet to put a shot on target despite dominating possession. But now that Barcelona are behind 1-0 in one of the toughest away environments in Europe, pulling out victory will be easier said than done.
The hosts take the lead! Marcao with his head off a corner! Barca down 1-0! Wow!
Five shots for Galatasaray and three for Barca, but Barca with the superior xG with 0.41 to 0.32. But this does not feel like how I thought it would feel, which was with Xavi's team on the front foot and looking like the more dangerous side. It's an open match and once again Galatasaray came to play.
It's the visitors who almost get on the board as Frenkie de Jong is played into the box, but the Dutchman's low effort misses just wide!
Goodness, Galatasaray almost scored! Gomis is sent through, but Jordi Alba makes a strong block on Gomis' shot in the box. A great chance there, but had Alba not been there, it looked like Ter Stegen likely would have gotten to it.
90 minutes and potentially more! The action has begun!
The young midfielder will be tasked with getting some more creativity out of the midfield against a side emphasizing defense above all.
Well, something similar to the first leg. The Turkish club will defend very deep in their own half, aiming to keep everything in front of them. In attack, they will play the counter, hoping to catch Barca off guard if they get forward heavy in numbers.
Pena; Boey, Nelsson,Marcao,Van Aanholt; Kutlu, Antalyai, Cicaldau; Babel, Akturkoglu, Gomis.
Ter Stegen; Dest, Pique, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Adama Traore, Aubameyang, Torres.
Galatasaray: Fatih Ozturk remains out with a vestibular disorder, while former Barca man Arda Turan has missed three games with a groin strain. Otherwise, the hosts are healthy and ready to roll, looking to build off the big 2-1 win over Besiktas on Sunday.
Barcelona: Sergi Roberto (hamstring), Samuel Umtiti (toe) and Ansu Fati (hamstring) remain out. Dani Alves is not eligible to play in the competition, which means we will likely see American Sergino Dest from the beginning. On a positive note for the team, they enter in incredible form. Barca are 10 games unbeaten and have scored at least four goals in four of their last six games. Anything close to that here will likely see them cruise into the last eight.
