Barça News
Five key stats from Galatasaray 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League when they came back from a goal down to defeat Galatasaray 2-1 in Istanbul on Thursday night.
Having been dealt with a scare after Marcao put the hosts ahead, the Blaugrana fought their way back as goals from Pedri and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on either side of half-time saw the Catalans progress to the Last eight of the Europa League.
Barcelona progress in the Europa League
With the victory, Barcelona qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League for the first time since 2001, back when the competition was still known as the UEFA Cup. Star midfielder Pedri was not even born when that happened.
Pedri wasn’t even born the last time Barcelona reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League:
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 17, 2022
– Feb 2001: Barça qualify for the quarter-finals
– Nov 2002: Pedri was born
– Mar 2022: Barça qualify for the quarter-finals again
— @Squawka pic.twitter.com/dEA1Rl7i2O
Barcelona defeated AEK Athens in the fourth round of the competition to progress to the quarter-finals that time before they saw off Celta Vigo to enter the final four. However, they lost to Liverpool at that stage. Xavi & co. will be hoping for better fortunes this time out.
Momentum ahead of El Clasico
With the win on Thursday against Galatasaray, Barcelona extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to 11 games. The last time they lost a match was in January – a 3-2 defeat to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
During this 11-game unbeaten run, Barça have netted 28 goals and let in just ten. With a crucial clash against Real Madrid coming up, Xavi’s side are building vital momentum.
Barcelona are now unbeaten in their last 11 games across all competitions:
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 17, 2022
– 28 goals scored
– 10 goals conceded
– 4 clean sheets
— @Squawka pic.twitter.com/TFnvW2lfjN
Pedri the shining star
Teenage sensation Pedri was at the heart of Barcelona’s win over Galatasaray on Thursday. The Spanish prodigy got the team back on level terms with a lovely goal that drew comparisons with club legend Lionel Messi, while he was top-notch in his all-round play on the night.
By scoring in the game, Pedri, at the age of 19 years and 112 days, became the first teenager to score for Barcelona in the Europa League since Iván De la Peña vs Bayern Munich in April 1996 (19y 346d) and the youngest since Roger vs Sevilla in December 1995 (18y 355d).
Pedri (19y 112d) is the first teenager to score for Barcelona in the Europa League since Iván De la Peña vs Bayern Munich in April 1996 (19y 346d) and the youngest since Roger vs Sevilla in December 1995 (18y 355d).
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 17, 2022
— @OptaJose pic.twitter.com/vb3VKGGE98
Aubameyang continues to prove his worth
Signed on a free transfer during the January transfer window, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is proving to be an excellent acquisition for Barcelona.
The 32-year-old former Arsenal captain was on target again on Thursday night in Turkey, meaning he has now scored seven goals in his last seven appearances for the Blaugrana in all competitions.
Aubameyang has now scored seven goals in his last seven games for Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/DZ7SQB0K0F
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 17, 2022
Aubameyang has been at the club for only close to two months. But the 32-year-old has already scored more away goals than any Barcelona player across all competitions this season (5).
Aubameyang has now scored 5 away goals for Barcelona this season, more than any other player.
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 17, 2022
— @Barca19stats pic.twitter.com/gstMPhbiSt
Considering that there were a lot of question marks over his form after a slow start to the season at Arsenal, the striker has hit the ground running at Barça and made a big difference since arriving.
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