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Europa League duel between Barça and United
Photo: Joan Monfort/AP
FC Barcelona have suffered a setback in the first knockout round of the Europa League.
Despite the lead, the team only managed to draw 2-2 (1-1) in the first leg against Manchester United and is therefore under pressure ahead of the away game in England next Thursday.
Marcos Alonso (50th minute) put the Champions League relegated from Barcelona in the lead.
But only a little later Marcus Rashford (53rd) equalized.
After an own goal by the French runner-up Jules Kounde (59th), Manchester were ahead, Raphinha (76th) made it 2-2.
United were the better side for much of the game, controlling the pace, but were denied by goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who made three superb saves in the first half.
Barcelona continued their impressive series: Barca have been unbeaten in 17 competitive games (15 wins, 2 draws), the last time the Catalans suffered a defeat was in October (0:3 against Bayern Munich in the Champions League).
RB Salzburg celebrated a 1-0 (0-0) win over AS Roma after a late goal by Nicolas Capaldo (88') and put themselves in a good position to progress.
More results of the intermediate round of the Europa League
Shakhtar Donetsk – Stade Rennes 2:1 (2:0)
Ajax Amsterdam – Union Berlin 0:0 (you can find the match report here)
Jan