Valencia (AP) – Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League opponent FC Barcelona has completed a successful but unconvincing dress rehearsal.
Four days before the second leg of the quarter-finals at the Camp Nou, the Catalan football club in the Spanish league struggled to a very happy 3-2 (0-0) against relegation candidates UD Levante after falling behind. Substitute Luuk De Jong sealed the win with his goal in added time (90+2).
The hosts took the lead after José Luis Morales took the first penalty (52nd minute). The former BVB professional Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (59th) and Pedri (63rd) then turned the party within just under five minutes. With the second penalty kick, Gonzalo Melero equalized for the courageous outsider (83rd). National goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen even saved a hand penalty from Levante striker Roger Marti (56th).
Even after the away win, the team coached by Xavi Hernandez – like FC Sevilla – is still twelve points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid, who lead the Primera Division table with 72 points. However, Barca played one game less.
In the first leg of the Europa League, Eintracht had won a 1-1 draw against the star ensemble from Barcelona after a strong performance.