One thing Barcelona should be happy about ahead of their tonight’s clash with Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League is that the away goals rule no longer exists. This means they’re starting the return leg at packed Old Trafford with no consequences for those two goals conceded in the first leg at Camp Nou, where two European giants deservedly shared the spoils in the end, 2-2.UEL: Atomic football at Camp Nou and two goals a piece – what a rematch lies ahead of us!However, that’s about all the good news for Xavi’s squad since they are facing United, powered and inspired by unplayable Marcus Rashford, who is setting the entire team’s pace. Moreover, the Blaugrana are about to confront the Red Devils with an injury-torn slot, as Ousmane Dembele and Pedri are out due to injuries. As if it is not enough, Pedri’s pier and another Barca teenager Gavi is missing through suspension. This causes a lot headache for Xavi, who’ll have to come up with some other solutions up front, probably giving Frank Kessie, Raphinha and Ansu Fati some more minutes and roles.##NAJAVA_MECA_7041449##The coach himself was full of praise for their iconic rivals, hailing them as ‘one of the best teams in Europe at the moment’.”This is their best team in recent years, and they have proven it with recent results. They brought a lot of character and intensity to their game, passion, rhythm… What they showed in the first leg was at a very high level. We will have to do the same, show character and believe in our style of playing. It’s the perfect scenario in which we could show that Barca can compete with one of the best European teams.”🚨🎙️| Xavi on Erik ten Hag: “He gets the best of the talent from his players. You see [Jadon] Sancho, [Marcus] Rashford, the Portuguese [Bruno Fernandes]. And look how Fred is playing.” pic.twitter.com/OfmuyPfl9O— centredevils. (@centredevils) February 22, 2023 Xavi thinks that his crew still has to improve…”We cannot say that we are definitely back. We will see tonight if we have changed and by how much. We are still in the Europa League and we are facing the toughest opponent in the playoffs. But we are here. A difficult test awaits us,” concluded he.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – Knockout stageSecond legThursday 20.45: (4.60) Nantes (3.40) Juventus (1.85)20.45: (4.20) Midtjylland (3.45) Sporting (1.90)20.45: (2.25) Monaco (3.60) Leverkusen (3.30)20.45: (2.00) PSV (3.60) Sevilla (4.00)23.00: (2.25) Man.Utd. (3.50) Barcelona (3.35)23.00: (1.70) Rennes (3.90) Shakhtar (5.50)23.00: (2.20) Union Berlin (3.25) Ajax (3.45)23.00: (1.70) Roma (3.80) Salzburg (5.70)***odds are subject to change
