a rain of goals, frustrated Barcelona, ​​Dortmund heavily beaten by Rangers… The recap of Thursday evening’s matches

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New this year, the round of 16 of the Europa League are replaced by play-offs between the Champions League reverses and the teams qualified in second position in their group in the Europa League. A success in terms of spectacle with high standing posters and many goals.

FC Barcelona, ​​the real attraction of this competition in this difficult season, failed to beat Naples (1-1). For its part, Dortmund completely sank against Glasgow Rangers (4-2). Betis Sevilla won against Zénith Saint-Petersburg (3-2), and Sheriff Tiraspol defeated Braga (2-0).

Barcelona remain at the dock against Napoli

Absent from the final stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2004, the Barcelonans conceded a draw against Naples (1-1) in the first leg of the Europa League play-offs. The Blaugranas ran after the score for a long time, because it was the Italians who opened the scoring thanks to Piotr Zielinski in two stages after a good save from Marc-André Ter Stegen (1-0, 29th).

But Xavi’s players regained control of the ball and dominance in the second half. A goal from the penalty spot by Ferran Torres after a contentious hand fault by Juan Jesus in the area allowed the Blaugranas to equalize (1-1, 59th). Ousmane Dembélé, absent since the defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final, made a good start, despite a few whistles from Camp Nou.

Dortmund sinks against Rangers

It’s the surprise of the evening. The Germans, deprived of the injured Erling Haaland, lost heavily (4-2) against Rangers and are on unfavorable waivers before the return match. After getting several chances including a header from Dan-Axel Zagadou who lacked power, Dortmund dived at the end of the first period.

The French defender, author of a rough hand, offered a penalty to James Tavernier (1-0, 38th), before Morelos worsened the gap, a few minutes later, on a corner after a deviation from Aribo at the first post (2-0, 41st).

Returning from the locker room, the Scots further swelled their lead thanks to a superb strike from John Lundstram from the surface (3-0, 49th). Two minutes later, Bellingham answered him with an almost identical goal to revive Dortmund (3-1, 51st). A hope showered by Morelos who saw his shot deflected by Zagadou and finish in the back of the net (4-1, 55th). Guerreiro’s goal at the end of the match (4-2, 82nd) ​​allows Marco Rose’s players to hope to overthrow the Scots and obtain qualification. The Rangers will want to confirm this good performance next week.

A crazy first half in Saint Petersburg

With five goals in the first act, the match between Zénith Saint-Petersburg and Betis Sevilla was explosive for 45 minutes. Quickly in front (2-0, 18th), the Andalusians saw the Russians return in three minutes thanks to the achievements of Artem Dzyuba then Malcom (2-2, 28th).

Just before half-time, the Mexican Andrés Guardado put Betis in front of the scoreboard (3-2, 41st), his first goal in Seville. The second half didn’t offer as many spectacles and the game ended there. At home for the second leg, Manuel Pellegrini’s players are favorites for qualification.


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