If the Catalans seemed to have settled their concern for realism with 21 goals scored in the last 7 matches, Xavi's men were muzzled by a very orderly Galatasaray on Thursday evening, and will quickly have to find their sights in the boiling Nef Stadium in Istanbul on March 17, to continue dreaming of Europe.

Dominating throughout the game, the Blaugranas never managed to cross the wall Iñaki Peña, decisive on multiple occasions in his old stadium.

The young 23-year-old goalkeeper, loaned in January by the Blaugrana club, was preferred to the Uruguayan Fernando Muslera, a veritable institution for more than ten years at Galatasaray, who has nevertheless recovered from the injury which kept him away from the field for three months. .

Galatasaray's Spanish goalkeeper Inaki Pena turns the ball away against Barcelona in the Europa League round of 16 first leg on March 10, 2022 at Camp Nou Josep LAGO AFP

And Peña produced an impeccable performance against his former team: he deflected two shots on target from Memphis Depay in the first half, slammed a header from Sergio Busquets over his crossbar in the 57th and captured a powerful strike from Frenkie de Jong at the 64th.

Disclaimer Gomis

And half an hour into the game, it was the post that saved the goalkeeper of the Turkish club, on a direct free kick struck by Memphis Depay (28th).

And even the gag action of the 75th minute did not surprise him, after the ball once again touched the post before coming to his arms.

"We tried everything, but we came across a very strong opponent defensively. It surprised us, because they conceded a lot of goals lately... But Iñaki was amazing", reacted Xavi on Movistar+ at the whistle. final.

The Catalans even got scared.

Kerem Akturkoglu squandered a golden opportunity he created for himself by getting rid of Sergiño Dest (37th), and Bafetimbi Gomis thought he opened the scoring in the 78th, but his goal was canceled for a position of clear offside.

Galatasaray French striker Bafétimbi Gomis battles with Barcelona defender Eric Garcia in their Europa League round of 16 first leg match on March 10, 2022 at Camp Nou Josep LAGO AFP

"It's Europe, that's how it is. Even if the Europa League is Europe. The teams that play it have deserved it. It's a difficult, complicated competition. There is no nothing won," Xavi warned after the match.

The Catalan technician tried to bring security and speed with the entry into play of Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembélé in place of Ronald Araujo, Nico and Ferran Torres after the break (46th)... but despite the support of a two-thirds full Camp Nou (61,740 spectators), nothing helped.

Barcelona's French striker, Ousmane Dembélé, against Galatasaray defenders, in the round of 16 first leg of the Europa League, March 10, 2022 at Camp Nou LLUIS GENE AFP

It must be said that his Galatasaray counterpart knew him well: Domenec Torrent, born in Catalonia, was Pep Guardiola's former assistant at Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich and Manchester City, and even went to visit Xavi in ​​Qatar, he five months ago, when the latter was still the coach of Al-Sadd.

With this draw, Barça, undefeated since January 20, breaks its beautiful series of four consecutive victories in all competitions, the best for a year.

© 2022 AFP