FC Barcelona receives Manchester United this Thursday, February 16, 2023, at the Camp Nou. Although due to the entity and potential of both teams it could well be a stellar Champions League game, the duel corresponds to the first leg of the 2022/2023 Europa League round of 32 playoffs. The two contenders are going through a sweet moment, which only fuels the interest of the match.
Barça is advancing at cruising speed as the leader of the League, where in the last matchday it was 11 points behind Real Madrid (with one game less until Wednesday). The team hardly resembles the one that was shipwrecked in the group stage of the Champions League, largely because Xavi Hernández has managed to seal the defense. Ronald Araujo is a true guarantee in the center of the rear, being essential for Marc Andre Ter Stegen to have only conceded seven goals in 21 league games played. The average of 0.3 goals against per game is a figure that no other European team has.
And, if behind there is a bolt, in front there is a lot of gunpowder, since the Catalans are the top scorers in the domestic competition, with 43 goals and with Robert Lewandowski as the current top scorer (14 goals), despite the chances missed by the striker Pole in the last match against Villarreal (0-1). However, Barcelona’s success can also be explained by the team’s balance and pressure, attitudes with which players like Pedri or De Jong manage to get the most out of their talent. Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembelé will continue in the infirmary and will not be available for the Europa League match.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have also earned a license to dream. The English team, led by Erik ten Hag, has done well with the release of ballast. The departures of men like Martin Dúbravka, Axel Tuanzebe, Shola Shoretire or especially Cristiano Ronaldo, and the entry of reinforcements Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst are paying off. The Red Devils have been climbing up the Premier League standings to situate themselves in third position, just two points behind Manchester City and five behind Arsenal. Antony, Anthony Martial and Scott McTominay could be absent for the match at the Camp Nou.
The match corresponding to the first leg of the playoffs of the round of 32 of the Europa League between FC Barcelona and Manchester United will take place this Thursday, February 16, at the Camp Nou starting at 6:45 p.m.
The match between Barcelona and Manchester United in the Europa League can be seen on television through the Movistar Champions League channel. You can also follow Barça – Manchester United live on EL MUNDO.
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