Barcelona – Eintracht Frankfurt: Kostić Crushes Camp Nou To Forge A Historic Evening (2-3)

Surviving the scare of a first leg stalemate, Barcelona expected to learn from the error of their ways and make an assault on a spot in the final four. However, their visitors have caught the bug for European football, putting on a display to stun the Spanish support into submission.
Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere.

Xavi's return to Barcelona reminded fans of an era that could not be more distant upon his arrival. Striving to emulate that success from the dugout, he is affording the Blaugrana room to dream once more. A cultural reset beset with new faces, the 4-3-3 shape, and craft on the ball are the groundwork for their revival. Top of the form charts in 2022 to climb into second place, a LaLiga title looks out of reach. But they can still crown the campaign with a trophy to lay a marker of more success to come.

If the home team are paving the way to mimic former glories, Eintracht Frankfurt are making the most of a tough year to create new history. Europa League entry was a consolation for missing out on the top four to Wolfsburg, but the Hessians have endured a mixed campaign, lying ninth in the standings. Oliver Glasner has not replicated the work of Adi Hütter, whom he pipped to fourth place, but if his men's first . . .