UEFA Europa League: Eintracht Frankfurt Stun Barcelona To Reach Semi-finals

Frankfurt eliminated Barcelona from the UEFA Europa League with a 3-2 victory at Camp Nou to advance to the semi-finals. Barcelona were overwhelming favorites to win at home against a team now placed ninth in the Bundesliga after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany last week. Frankfurt, on the other hand, outplayed the Catalans, with Filip Kostic scoring twice. The first penalty, either side of a spectacular long-range effort by Rafael Santos Borre. Who was boosted by fantastic traveling support of over 20,000 fans.

As the hosts attempted a late rebound, Sergio Busquets leveled for Barcelona in the 91st moment. And Memphis Depay scored a punishment in the eleventh moment of injury time. In any case, it was short of what was needed, and Frankfurt proceeded to dominate the game on total by a score of 4-3. They’ll meet West Ham in the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals after the Hammers strolled past Lyon. See more

Xavi Hernandez said:

“It’s a hammer blow for us since they deserved to advance,”

Xavi added, “Obviously, it didn’t assist us.” “It was like a final, with equally divided fans; the club is investigating what happened, but it was our fault.”

UEFA Europa League Barcelona had gone undefeated in all competitions since December and had risen to second place in La Liga. After hammering Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu a little over a month ago. While that run means Barca won’t need to qualify for the Champions League next season. Through the UEFA Europa League, it was a terrific chance for Xavi to add a trophy to an amazing first few months as a coach.

“No amount of money can purchase what we’ve seen today,” Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner stated. “These feelings will last a lifetime.”

Frankfurt Historical Night

This is not an exaggeration. This was one of Eintracht Frankfurt’s best nights in the club’s 123-year existence, and what a venue to do it in. UEFA Europa League Barcelona’s 15-game unbeaten streak came to an end most dramatically and unexpectedly for the home supporters at the Camp Nou.

Oliver Glasner’s strategy worked flawlessly. His back five frequently caused problems on the counterattack. With Kostic and Knauff frequently playing as wingers rather than wing-backs, the duo wreaking havoc. The visitors’ many quick turnovers frequently result in overloads in the last third of the field. It also helped Frankfurt that Barcelona couldn’t get going and had far too many players absent.

Without a doubt, Frankfurt is capable of doing so, but they have fallen short far too often this season. Despite their terrible Bundesliga form, reaching the Europa League semi-finals. Represents a huge opportunity to win football silverware and qualify for the UEFA Europa Champions League next season.

UEFA Europa League Player Ratings

Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp 6, Toure 7, Hinteregger 6, Ndicka 5, Kostic 8, Rode 7, Jakic 6, Knauff 8, Kamada 7, Lindstrom 7, Borre 7. Subs: Chandler 6, Hrustic 6, Hauge 6. Ache 6, Hasebe 5

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Mingueza 6, Araujo 7, Garcia 5, Alba 6, Pedri 6, Busquets 7, Gavi , Dembele 8, Aubameyang 5, Torres 6. Subs: Dest 6, Traore 6, F. de Jong 7, Depay 7, L. de Jong 6

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