Man Utd lost victory over Barca
Striker Marcus Rashford continued to shine with a goal and an annoying pass that made centre-back Jules Kounde own an own goal. However, the away team could not keep this advantage and was equalized by Barca from Raphinha's cross.
The result 2-2 makes the two teams play the second leg a week later with a score of almost 0-0, as the away table rule no longer applies. However, the neutral audience will not be disappointed when the Europa League highlight match takes place with an attractive double.
Man Utd played better in the first half, with the most obvious opportunity going to striker Wout Weghorst - the player playing in front of Rashford. Receiving a slot from Bruno Fernandes, the Dutch striker rushed down to face the goalkeeper but hit Marc-Andre Ter Stegen's foot and bounced off.
In addition to this situation, the Barca goalkeeper also saved twice, including a save from Rashford in the 34th minute. On the opposite side, David de Gea also had to push the ball away from Robert Lewandowski and Jordi's shots twice. Alba from the left corner.
The two teams also played uncertainly when many failed passes but the opponent failed to take advantage of the opportunity to score in the first half. Barca also suffered when midfielder Pedri was injured when he left the field in the 41st minute, giving his place to Sergi Roberto.
The players made better use of their chances in the second half, when defender Marcos Alonso opened the scoring just four minutes after halftime. From Raphinha's corner on the right, the ball turned to the far corner to help Alonso hit the ground comfortably, bringing the ball to the near corner, making De Gea unable to react.
This goal seemed to wake Man Utd up, and they equalized after only two minutes. Casemiro recovered the ball in the middle of the field and then passed it to Fred, allowing the player to poke a gap for Rashford to plunge into the penalty area. From the narrow right corner, Rashford shot straight into the near corner, causing goalkeeper Ter Stegen to be surprised and unable to save in time.
Man Utd scored a second seven minutes later, also from Rashford's effort, as he dribbled past Raphinha on the right, close to the goal line. The English striker slipped in, grazed Bruno Fernandes' leg and hit Kounde's body and flew into Barca's net. British spectators on the second floor of the Camp Nou jumped to celebrate the table, and many threw paper cups onto the field.
The two teams played openly to help the goal come at any time, but only one team scored more and that was the host. Casemiro made a dangerous pass at the foot of the house, leaving Kounde to give the ball to Raphinha. The Brazilian striker rolled the ball into the Man Utd penalty area, when Lewandowski and Raphael Varane also rushed in but no one touched. The ball continued to fly to the far corner, causing De Gea to stand still and watch the net shake.
In the remaining minutes, Rashford had the opportunity to face but failed to score, and Barca also once hit the ball on the visitors' post. Italian referee Maurizio Mariani and his assistants also ignored important situations such as when Kounde pushed down from behind Rashford at the edge of the home penalty area, or Fred let the ball touch his hand in the away team's penalty area.
Both teams have reason to be unhappy with the result, as they both squandered opportunities. However, Man Utd has a little advantage due to being able to play the second leg at Old Trafford on the evening of February 23.
Barca: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Araújo, Alonso (Christensen 67), Alba (Balde 67), Pedri (Roberto 41), De Jong, Kessie (Fati 67), Raphinha (Torres 83), Lewandowski, Gavi.
Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Fred, Sancho (Garnacho 82), Fernandes, Rashford, Weghorst.
