Football

Europa League: Barcelona held to disappointing draw with Galatasaray

By Aman Shukla

Barcelona stumbled to a goalless draw with Galatasaray in their Europa League last-16 first leg at the Camp Nou on Thursday. Barcelona, playing in Europe’s second-tier competition for the first time since 2004, dominated for long periods. Be that as it may, it was their Turkish visitors who nearly snatched a lead ahead of the return match in Istanbul one week from now, with Bafetimbi Gomis only denied a winner by a VAR review for offside.

Memphis Depay, making his first start since December, forced Galatasaray goalkeeper Inaki Pena into two great first-half saves.

“The feeling is bad,” Xavi admitted to Movistar+. “It’s not a good result, playing at home and dominating so much.

“This is Europe, even if it’s the Europa League, and teams are there on their own merits.”

Barcelona are as still unbeaten in 90 minutes since since defeat by Bayern Munich in their last Champions League group game last year.

 

Aman Shukla

Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication. A media enthusiast who has a stronghold on communication, content writing, and copy writing. Aman is currently working as a subeditor at dailyindianews.com and can be reached at [email protected]