Barcelona manager Xavi spoke highly of his counterpart Erik ten Hag following Thursday night’s 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League play-off match.
Ten Hag’s team had a strong first half and started the game on the front foot. However, the away team fell behind in the 50th minute.
Marcos Alonso, a former Chelsea defender, powered a close-range header into the net. Even though they were down a goal, United came back strongly, and within two minutes, Marcus Rashford had levelled the game.
Rashford had a similar impact after a few minutes as his shot was deflected by Jules Kounde and United gained the lead. However, Raphinha tied the score at 2-2 in the 76th minute, just as United looked to be on their way to a historic victory at Camp Nou.
Next Thursday, with the score tied at 2-2, Barcelona will visit United at Old Trafford for the second leg of the match. The winner of the reverse fixture advances since the away goal rule is no longer in effect.
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After the game, Xavi was full of praise for Ten Hag and his players, saying that United is “coming back” and that the Reds made things difficult for his team.
As reported by the Express, the former Barcelona midfielder said:
“We played against a top team in Europe. Manchester United is coming back and today they showed their best version. I think both teams are in more or less in the same moment, same position, that we are coming back.”
“I said to Ten Hag now congratulations because he is doing very well and they are Manchester United, so yes, it can be a final or semi-final or quarter-final in the future of the Champions League, but now we are in Europa League.”
“We are coming back and today we showed a very best performance, both teams.”
Both teams produced a high-intensity game with an equal number of chances flowing from both ends.
It looked like a proper Champions League match between the two giants. Even if the game ended in a draw, it would surely create more excitement for the second leg at Old Trafford.
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Ten Hag produced a tactical masterclass in the second half of the match, as his side dominated proceedings and created a number of key chances.
