LONDON, Feb 15: They’re two members of European football’s aristocracy who, not so long ago, were meeting in Champions League finals.
Now Barcelona and Manchester United are going head-to-head in the unlikely confines of a Europa League playoff match.
Not that they are playing like also-rans of the continent.
“At the end of the day, we don’t deserve to be in the Champions League and neither do they. But the level is still very high,” Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said Wednesday.
Indeed, the clubs with two of the biggest followings in world football are in a good place on the field, especially considering the plight they have found themselves in recent years. In the meantime, their presence in the Europa League adds glamor to a competition that is widely viewed as the Champions League’s little brother. The only disappointment for fans is that the meeting comes so early. Barcelona is in good form, with its last loss coming against Bayern Munich as it exited the UCL in October.
It is in the Europa League because it couldn’t win a group game against either Bayern or Inter Milan. But under Xavi, the team has now won eight in a row in all competitions, with striker Robert Lewandowski taking on the role of star player. Xavi, who won two UCL finals on the field with Barcelona against United, has got his team playing as well as it has all season despite injuries to Dembélé and Sergio Busquets. Spain internationals Pedri and Gavi are driving the midfield, while Raphinha is filling in nicely for Dembele.
Ten Hag has had to contend with his own absences, but has still been able to put United in a position to compete for the league title. Midfielder Christian Eriksen will miss the majority of the rest of the season with an ankle problem and Anthony Martial continues to struggle to stay fit.
Given United terminated Ronaldo’s contract in November, Ten Hag has been left short in attack, which is why the form of Rashford has been crucial. The England forward, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona in the past, has scored 13 goals in his last 15 games and 21 all season. Sancho is also back after being given time off to rediscover his form and adds to United’s options up front.
Ten Hag has a decision to make in attack, with January loan signing Weghorst failing to provide much of a goal threat so far, scoring once in eight appearances. Brazil winger Antony, midfielder McTominay and Martial were absent as United trained in the morning before flying out to Barcelona. Lisandro Martinez and on-loan Sabitzer are suspended for the first leg, but Casemiro is available after missing the 2 league games through suspension.(AP)
