In Europe, we’re a bit better away from home than we are at home – and we’re going to need that [on Thursday],” head coach Oliver Glasner said after last week’s first leg. Indeed, the Eagles have found the net in every away Europa League match so far this term, but opponents Barcelona have won 20 of their 29 home games against Bundesliga opposition.
The Catalan club may have failed to score in four of their past seven European encounters on home soil, but they are currently on a six-match unbeaten run at Camp Nou in all competitions, winning four, drawing two and keeping four clean sheets. “Both teams have every opportunity [to progress],” said Glasner, matter-of-factly. “We’ll prepare as well as possible once again and do everything we can to reach the semi-finals.”
Sow doubtful
In last Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Deutsche Bank Park, Eintracht showcased all the qualities needed to cause the La Liga side problems in the return leg. “Barcelona’s counter-pressing is incredibly intense,” Glasner added. “We have to free ourselves from that.”
There are one or two question marks in the Barca camp in terms of personnel. It remains to be seen whether Gerard Piqué will be available after his adductor strain, while Eintracht’s Djibril Sow suffered a strained knee against Freiburg on Sunday but could recover in time for the trip to Spain.
“Confidence and belief”
“We’ve given ourselves a good starting position, which makes us believe we can progress,” said goalkeeper Kevin Trapp. “With confidence and belief, we’ll do it.” Sebastian Rode agrees: “Together with our fans, we want to achieve something great over there.”
The support of tens of thousands of Eintracht fans – both in foreign cities and at the opponents’ stadium – has played a crucial role in previous European away games. The fact that Eintracht have never lost a competitive match in Spain should give the travelling Eagles faithful plenty of cause for optimism on this occasion.
Match info
Kick-off: Thursday 14 April 2022 21:00 CEST, UEFA Europa League, quarter-finals, 2nd leg.
Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona.
