Barcelona was knocked out of Europe by Eintracht Frankfurt after a dreadful performance at the Camp Nou. With a dramatic 3-2 shock victory at the iconic Catalan venue, the German team advanced to the Europa League semifinals, sending the visitors past Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate.
Barcelona had 75 percent possession but failed to create significant chances, with only 10 total shots compared to Frankfurt’s 15, the most of which came in the last minutes as the hosts desperately sought a late miracle. Barcelona’s few opportunities went begging, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang squandering the best one shortly after halfway.
After a foul by Eric Garcia in the fourth minute, Kostic scored a penalty, and Barcelona was unable to respond. Rafael Borre’s excellent goal put the Germans up 2-0 at halftime, and it would get even better after the break. After an hour, Kostic scored his second goal from open play, thus ending Barcelona’s European ambitions.
Sergio Busquets scored a late consolation goal with a stunning shot that belonged in a better game but was unfortunately wasted in an otherwise boring effort. Memphis Depay’s penalty conversion was the game’s final play, resulting in a 3-2 final score in the second leg.
Aside from Frankfurt’s devastating counter and comfortable defense, the match’s narrative was the estimated 30,000 Frankfurt fans who traveled to Barcelona, dotting the Camp Nou in white.
41 años y jamás vi un Camp Nou con tanta hinchada visitante en un duelo donde el Barça es local. Histórico y vergonzoso a partes iguales. Alguien debería explicar esto. pic.twitter.com/H3jZKbaISu
— Borja Pardo (@Borja_Pardo) April 14, 2022