Barcelona 0-0 Galatasaray: 5 Talking Points as Barca fail to grind out a win | UEFA Europa League 2021-22

#3 Barcelona fail to score after 93 days

Barcelona should have done better upfront.

Barcelona failed to score a goal for the first time in more than three months against Galatasaray. The Catalans have come roaring back following an abysmal start to the season. They were unbeaten in their last seven matches across competitions before the game and everyone expected them to put up a great performance on the night. Xavi started Ferran Torres, Memphis Depay and Adama Traore in attack.

Traore was the only player out of the three that looked lively. Although Barcelona had some decent chances, it was just not enough. The team showed laziness and allowed Galatasaray defenders to assemble themselves and execute their game plan with perfection.

Despite having 16 shots on goal, they managed only four on target. Their 68% possession on the night did not culminate into anything of note.

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#2 Galatasaray show character

Berkan Kutlu tussles it out with Ronald Araujo.

Galatasaray had lost six of their last 10 games across competitions before the game. Given their abysmal form, everyone wrote them off and believed Barcelona would sail through with ease. But the Turkish giants put up a strong fight to fend off the Spanish giants. They came in with a perfect game plan and executed it exquisitely.

Their defensive structure gave Barcelona a headache as they were forced to look for alternative ways to breach the back-line. Meanwhile, their counters and attacking sequences were quite effective as they almost got what they came from through Gomis. However, the effort was ruled out for offside.

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#1 Barcelona have work to do in the second leg

Adama Traore in action.

Playing the first leg at Camp Nou and not winning the game may come back to haunt the Catalans. Barcelona did not look motivated enough. Xavi's troops looked sluggish for the majority of the game and did not turn up the heat till the 60th minute of the game.

Barcelona looked lost for ideas upfront and whatever little they threw at Galatasaray was handled brilliantly by the visitors. Barcelona now have their work cut out for them in the return leg at the Nef Stadium if they are to advance to the next stage of the UEFA Europa League.

Things will only be tougher in Istanbul as the then home side will take a lot of confidence from the game and make things even more difficult for the Catalans.