Europa League Play-off 1st Leg

Barcelona 2:2 Manchester United

Camp Nou

Kick-off
Thu, 16 February 2023 @ 5:45pm GMT
Status

Closed

Discussion Your Lineup Prediction

  • Status
    Not open for further replies.
    With the first leg being in Barcelona, the smart thing would be playing AWB to have a solid defensive group and keep the tie alive
     
    bosskeano said:
    With the first leg being in Barcelona, the smart thing would be playing AWB to have a solid defensive group and keep the tie alive
    Click to expand...

    Agreed and frustrating Barca on their own turf will encourage them to attack more which, owing to our quick transition play and counter attacking might give us a couple of opportunities.

    I reckon the game at OT will be a true indication of our attacking prowess (or lack of depending on how we play) against the big guns of Europe.
     
    DRJosh said:
    Agreed and frustrating Barca on their own turf will encourage them to attack more which, owing to our quick transition play and counter attacking might give us a couple of opportunities.

    I reckon the game at OT will be a true indication of our attacking prowess (or lack of depending on how we play) against the big guns of Europe.
    Click to expand...
    This is a great game to play on the counter and use rashy up top for his pace along with sancho and garnacho
     
    I didn't realize Sabitzer is suspended. Was looking forward to a midfield of Casemiro and Sabitzer. Going to now watch Fred with dread.
     
    I think this is our first serious test under stress for ETH and the squad.

    Anything more than a 2-0 loss would be good in my books.
     
    Is Martinez available for this?
     
    Tiki Crappa. Gavi is shite. Pedri is shite.
    Yes that's childish but I hate these lot. Holier than thou set of fans and club.
     
    BorisManUtd said:
    Looking at La Liga table and Barca are doing great and will probably win the title for the 1st time since 2019. They’ve conceded only 7 goals so far this season which is impressive.

    They should beat us comfortably over 2 legs or? I wouldn’t be too upset at all.
    Click to expand...
    They're doing well in Liga atm but imo looking at their performance in the CL we shouldn't worry too much. Only if we have our full squad I'd be much more confident.

    Anyway imo no way they'd beat us comfortably. We've progressed a lot under ETH. Probably a tough game and who's more clinical would come out victorious.
     
    croadyman said:
    Fred man marking job similar to what we saw on De Bruyne in the derby maybe
    Click to expand...
    We would be totally destroyed I'm afraid. No point in pressing FdJ. Doesn't work, and he's more of a conductor in their system than the main playmaker. Also he could start very deep in their build up phase.

    Losing Fred for the man marking job, would leave big space in midfield that even Casemiro unlikely able to dealing with Pedri and Gavi.
     
    Last edited:
    This is a free hit tie for me now,felt a bit differently when the draw was made though
     
    Damage limitation I’m afraid, they’ll likely be camped in our half so assuming this, Ten Hag will probably opt to play a bit deeper than usual and rely on the counter. Just have visions of it being similar to the Arsenal game but you never know.
     
    DRJosh said:
    Agreed and frustrating Barca on their own turf will encourage them to attack more which, owing to our quick transition play and counter attacking might give us a couple of opportunities.

    I reckon the game at OT will be a true indication of our attacking prowess (or lack of depending on how we play) against the big guns of Europe.
    Click to expand...

    We've played high level of football, something I've never seen with the previous managers. We've gone toe to toe with City and Arsenal this season, a clear indication of high level football.

    Pretty sure we will match Barca and if we beat them, I wouldn't be surprised.
     
    Can't see us getting anything out of this game (or the tie) but Garnacho should start to at least give us real pace if we can break on them. also miht fore them to sit a bit deeper to cope with him. I'd almost think of playing Lindelof as a holding midfielder...
     
    mitchmouse said:
    Can't see us getting anything out of this game (or the tie) but Garnacho should start to at least give us real pace if we can break on them. also miht fore them to sit a bit deeper to cope with him. I'd almost think of playing Lindelof as a holding midfielder...
    Click to expand...
    Over Casemiro?
     
    Think we'll go 5 at the back for this one, would explain why Maguire and Shaw played CB yesterday then Varane will come in as well
     
    Rozay said:
    Not good enough to get out of the Champions League group though. We’ll see what dominating La Liga really means on Thursday.
    Click to expand...


    On the surface it looks like this yes, but the cl group stage was maximum unfortunate for us and since then, we also improved in fitness and on a tactical level.
    In the first game, we looked better than Bayern. But Lewy was nervous against his former side and missed pretty good opportunities to score. Also we didn't get a clear penalty on Dembele. We could have won that game.
    Against Inter, our 3 best defenders were all injured (and we didn't get 1-2 clear penalties again). Pique's horrible defense and the reason for his retirement was on top of that, which robbed us that win at home. Christensen, Araujo and Kounde are the main reason we concede so few goals in LaLiga. Roberto, Pique, Garcia, Alonso are far below and not comparable to those 3. In my opinion, we'd never lose against Inter with at least 2 out of those 3 players being fit.

    But I agree with you that this match will show, if our league run is really the result of big improvements or because of the weaker LaLiga this season. That's why I'm excited to watch this duel, although I don't care about the Europa League much. The top priority is to win LaLiga and then take the Copa for the spanish double.
     
    It's annoying having these two games but at the same time I'm looking forward to playing them. Also not that fussed if we get knocked out.
     
    Not sure why so many are non-plussed about this. Top 4 is a near certainty (73% chance). Winning the league is almost certainly not going to happen (3%). Barcelona are a quality team and doing well in La Liga. What better way to show our potential for greatness in Europe from next season forward by... doing well in Europe this season?
     
    People are really afraid of Barca :lol: . They are good but I'd be disappointed if we don't beat them or at least give them a proper match
     
    adexkola said:
    Not sure why so many are non-plussed about this. Top 4 is a near certainty (73% chance). Winning the league is almost certainly not going to happen (3%). Barcelona are a quality team and doing well in La Liga. What better way to show our potential for greatness in Europe from next season forward by... doing well in Europe this season?
    Click to expand...
    Would be great but will be very tough given fixture congestion IMO. Our lack of fit and firing attackers is a huge loss.

    If Eriksen, Antony, Martial were all fit, Sabitzer and Martinez weren't suspended the first leg... Then sure. But we have a cup final coming up, have too many players out or off form, and still have FA Cup in there.. just think it's a competition we'll drop out at (and especially given the level Barca are playing at).
     
    jamesjimmybyrondean said:
    People are really afraid of Barca :lol: . They are good but I'd be disappointed if we don't beat them or at least give them a proper match
    Click to expand...

    Well , we have injuries and suspensions.

    Our record against Spanish teams is shocking.

    Barca have very good record against us.

    Our schedule is a killer .

    So no worries if we get beat. Just avoid injures.
     
    They aren’t as good as City and we beat them so no reason we can’t win this one either!
     
    People still talking about away goals.

    That rule was scrapped a few years ago.
     
    DDG

    Bisaka Rafa Licha Shaw

    Casemiro. Fred
    Sabitzer
    Sancho Rashford
    Bruno

    Essential that we combat FDJ because he will step through midfield all day. Energy of Sabitzer and Fred can handle him and Casemiro shores up that midfield nicely. and Bruno more of a ten…with Rashford and Sancho on the break.
     
    I have zero clue how Barca are at the moment and which players are in form and which not. Based on the league table they must be on fire, I just saw how big the gap to Real Madrid is.

    In the end I believe we can beat more or less anyone on our day, but with some key players out and our displays against Leeds my confidence is not that great.

    I am pretty sure we will score at least one goal, so if we manage to concede not more than 2 chances at OT would be pretty solid.
     
    Cnaiür urs Skiötha said:
    I have zero clue how Barca are at the moment and which players are in form and which not. Based on the league table they must be on fire, I just saw how big the gap to Real Madrid is.

    In the end I believe we can beat more or less anyone on our day, but with some key players out and our displays against Leeds my confidence is not that great.

    I am pretty sure we will score at least one goal, so if we manage to concede not more than 2 chances at OT would be pretty solid.
    Click to expand...
    They're class when going forward. Gavi is the tireless midfielder we wish McT was. Their defence is shaky though Ter Stegen is having a world class season.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.
Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Marcus Rashford image Marcus Rashford 72% of 300 votes

Runners-up

Show more results

Player Ratings

6.6 Total Average Rating

Highest Rated Player

Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 277 ratings.
Submit your ratings
View full results

Score Predictions

55,94,84
  • Man Utd win
  • Barcelona win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 27% Barcelona 1:1 Man Utd
  • 16% Barcelona 2:1 Man Utd
  • 12% Barcelona 1:2 Man Utd
  • 12% Barcelona 2:0 Man Utd
  • 6% Barcelona 0:1 Man Utd
  • 5% Barcelona 1:0 Man Utd
  • 4% Barcelona 0:0 Man Utd
  • 4% Barcelona 2:2 Man Utd
  • 4% Barcelona 3:1 Man Utd
  • 3% Barcelona 3:0 Man Utd
  • 3% Barcelona 0:2 Man Utd
  • 1% Barcelona 1:3 Man Utd
  • 1% Barcelona 0:3 Man Utd
  • 0% Barcelona 4:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Barcelona 1:4 Man Utd
  • 0% Barcelona 5:0 Man Utd
  • 0% Barcelona 0:9 Man Utd
  • 0% Barcelona 5:1 Man Utd
  • 0% Barcelona 9:1 Man Utd
Compiled from 233 predictions.
Show more results Score Predictions League Table

Match Stats

  1. Barcelona
  2. Man Utd
Possession
61% 39%
Shots
18 18
Shots on Target
8 5
Corners
8 5
Fouls
10 12

Referee

Maurizio Mariani

Man Utd Lineup

Substitutes

Lineup Predictions League Table View your Lineup Prediction