Xavi's rebuilding FC Barcelona travel to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt for the quarter final tie in the quest to win the Europa League.
Oliver Galsner's men advanced to this stage through a dramatic victory over Real Betis in the round of 16. Barcelona, on their part, narrowly evaded Galatasaray winning 2-1 in Turkey after a 0-0 stalemate at Camp Nou.
SGE vs FCB Europa League 2021-22 leg 1 Match Details :
Date: Thursday, 7 April 2022/ Friday, 8 April 2022
Time: 21:00 (CET)/ 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
SGE vs FCB Europa League 2021-22 leg 1 Match Preview :
It was madness in the return leg of the Europa League last 16 stages at this venue. Leading 2-1 on aggregate score, Frankfurt thought they are wrapping business with a 0-0 scoreline until Borja Iglesias dramatically scored in the 90th minute for Betis to take it to extra time. There are further chaos in the added period when Guido Rodriguez turned the free-kick conceded by him into his net in the last action of the game.
Placed ninth in the Bundesliga table, Die Adler have all but surrendered their reach for a European spot this season. They are five points drift off a possible UEFA Conference League berth. This leaves them the Europa League as the only shot to get back to continental football next year. As been for every team in Germany except Bayern, clubs have suffered the manager merry-go-around of last summer. Under Glasner, Frankfurt seemed to have settled into a defensive and counter-attacking team after early-season misery. They have turned into draw merchants because of his tactics, sharing points in four of their last five fixtures. At home, the objective will be to nullify Barca's rejuvenated attack and obtain a positive outcome to take to Catalonia.
After crushing arch-rivals Real Madrid 4-0 in the El Classico, Barcelona stretched their unbeaten streak to 13 games with a 1-0 over Sevilla at home. The stadium will be now called 'Spotify Camp Nou' after a 12-year deal was finalized with the streaming service. Pedro's 72nd-minute wonder strike secured all three points for his side in an important battle for the second spot. The game was dominated by Barcelona but they did have some iffy moments with Ter Stegen saving the win. Galatasaray proved to be quite a task to overcome in the previous round and Barca had to come from behind in the away leg to secure qualification. Marcao headed the Turkish side into the lead before Pedri danced into the box, flooring defenders with a brilliant finish. Aubameyang scored the winner four minutes into the second half. The forward signings in the winter window have certainly helped in raising the bar but work are still needed to be done if Barcelona are to return to their past shelf. Winning the Europa League won't be spectacular but an indication of things starting to change at the club.
Recent Form (all competitions)
Frankfurt: DDDDW
Barcelona: WWWWD
SGE vs FCB Europa League 2021-22 leg 1 Team News :
Frankfurt is still without Christopher Lenz after he suffered a calf injury last month. Diant Ramaj will also miss out on an injury. Apart from that, Oliver Glasner has his first-team regulars available for the game.
Xavi have a decision to make on the right-back spot as Serginio Dest battles with his hamstring injury. Dani Alves has not been included in the Europa League squad so Ronald Araujo will slot into the position with Eric Garcia partnering Pique in the center back role. Striker Luuk de Jong is not part of the travelling group after contracting Covid. Sergi Roberto is out through a tendon injury.
SGE vs FCB Europa League 2021-22 leg 1 Expected Lineups :
Frankfurt: Kevin Trapp; Martin Hinteregger, Evan N'Dicka, Tuta; Ansgar Knauff, Djibril Sow, Kristijan Jakic, Filip Kostic, Daichi Kamada, Jesper Lindstrom, Rafeal Borre
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba; Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Adama Traore, Aubameyang, Ferran Torres
SGE vs FCB Europa League 2021-22 leg 1 Head to Head :
This will be the first-ever meeting between the side on the continental level. Frankfurt have a healthy record in terms of facing Spanish oppositions, with their draw over Betis keeping them unbeaten in the last seven such games. On the other hand, Barcelona have lost their last three games against a German side, facing Bayern Munich in all, with only two victories in the last nine matches.
SGE vs FCB Europa League 2021-22 leg 1 Dream11 Team Prediction :
If Aubameyang is the choice
GK: Ter Stegen (8.5)
DEF: Araujo (8.5), N'Dicka (9), Pique (9), Alba (9.5)
MID: Kamada (9), Pedri (9), De Jong (9.5), Kostic (9.5)
FW: Lindstrom (9), Aubameyang (9.5)
If Ferran Torres is the choice
GK: Ter Stegen (8.5)
DEF: Araujo (8.5), N'Dicka (9), Pique (9), Alba (9.5)
MID: Kamada (9), Pedri (9), De Jong (9.5), Kostic (9.5)
FW: Lindstrom (9), Ferran Torres (9)
