You would think a Europa League tie which kicks off before 6pm British time would normally be a low-key affair.
A contest between two outsiders perhaps, or effectively a group stage ‘dead rubber’.
Well, on this occasion, you would be very much mistaken because there is only one place to start as far as Europa League highlights are concerned.
Billed by the Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo as ‘Duelo De Champions’, here was a clash which would make a fitting Champions League Final – in fact, it has been twice already (in 2009 and 2011), as well as a semi-final (2008) – such is the pedigree of these two clubs.
That Barcelona and Manchester United, two of the greats, were opponents in this last 32 play-off added glamour and sparkle to the competition at a stage it would not necessarily be expected.
And both teams didn’t disappoint.
Indeed, this was an encounter at the Nou Camp in Europe’s secondary competition which showed why both clubs could well be heading in the right direction once again as they aim to reach the heady heights they have previously enjoyed.
For runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona, a contest they could have won near the end, yet were also fortuitous to equalise as a cross from Raphinha sailed into the corner of the net.
For Manchester United, a display of promise and belief in what was described as the ultimate test of their Dutch manager Erik ten Hag’s abilities in the temple of his idol, Johan Cruyff.
In the end, a 2-2 draw was about right and the SBOTOP Europa League betting odds will no doubt evenly match the teams ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
Like so many games, the first leg result has left the overall tie in the balance in all bar one match.
That also came in Spain but saw Sevilla continue their return to form with a comprehensive 3-0 success over PSV Eindhoven.
Three goals in a 10 minute period either side of half-time did the damage for a club with real pedigree in this tournament – their 2020 success over Inter Milan cemented their run as the most successful club in the competition.
Youssef En Neysiri, Lucas Ocampos, and Nemanja Gudelj were on target for the Andalusians.
It capped a miserable night for the leading Dutch clubs as champions Ajax were held at home by surprise Bundesliga high-flyers Union Berlin.
While Ajax were playing their 150th game in the tournament (formerly the UEFA Cup), Union were making their debut in the knockout stages of this competition yet managed to end Ajax’s run of 17 European games scoring at home to German clubs.
Elsewhere, a stunning stoppage time goal from Axel Disasi settled a five-goal thriller between Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco.
The Monaco skipper’s long-range effort dramatically handed the Ligue 1 team the advantage heading into the second leg in the principality.
Salzburg also notched a late winner to claim a first leg scalp as they saw off Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Nicolás Capaldo scored the only goal of the game two minutes from time to spark Austrian glee ahead of next week’s return leg in the Italian capital.
Shakhtar Donetsk edged out Rennes 2-1, there was late drama in Portugal as Sebastián Coates scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to rescue a draw for hosts Sporting Lisbon against Danish underdogs FC Midtjylland, who had taken a 77th minute lead through Emam Ashour, while Juventus’ miserable time of it continues.
They were held at home by Nantes as Dusan Vlahovic’s first half opener was cancelled out by Ludovic Blas.
Yet it was the last-gasp penalty they felt they should have been awarded which so infuriated manager Max Allegri.
Perhaps he would have been happier had the luckless Federico Chiesa scored with a shot which hit the underside of the crossbar, the goal-line and the inside of the upright.
But while he urged his team not to ‘cry over spilt milk’ or penalty decisions following the 1-1 draw, he lost his temper with pundits who accused him of wanting 1-0 wins.
Tensions and frustrations abound in the Europa League where, Eindhoven aside, tonight’s results suggest it’s all to play for next week.
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