The incident occurred towards the end of the game
The referee was forced to stop Galatasaray’s Europa League second leg tie against Barcelona in the closing stages on Thursday night after Jordi Alba was hit with missiles.
Barça were leading 2-1 at the time in Istanbul after goals from teenage sensation Pedri and the in-form Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang put Xavi’s side in the lead following Marcão’s opener for the Turkish side.
The youngster’s equaliser for the Catalan club was the pick of the bunch as he took his time, avoiding two sliding tackles before slotting home comfortably, leaving his manager impressed by what he saw.
The build-up is vintage Barca 👌
The finish is ice-cool from Pedri 🥶
Great goal, Xavi's reaction says it all!#UEL pic.twitter.com/4ainauE71t
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 17, 2022
However the game was marred by the incident at the end as Alba was the victim of a series of missiles which appeared to be launched by the home crowd.
The Galatasaray fans prevent a Barcelona throw-in by throwing water bottles on Jordi Alba. pic.twitter.com/99TVdxB1lV
— infosfcb 𝕏 (@infosfcb) March 17, 2022
None of the players were taken off the pitch, however the game was temporarily paused to allow the pitch to be cleared away of all the objects.
Surprisingly though, Alba was booked after he fell to the ground as a result of the impact of the missiles. But after the game resumed, Barça were able to hold on and advance through to the quarter finals of the Europa League.
Barcelona now turn their attention to this weekend’s El Clasico, where they will look to stop their biggest rivals Real Madrid from strengthening their grip even further on the LaLiga title.
The Catalan side will also find out who they face in the last eight of the Europa League on Friday.
Related links:
- Real Madrid and Barcelona to wear special kits during El Clasico fixture
- Paul Pogba names former Liverpool man as his ‘toughest opponent’
- Villarreal call out Spanish paper over gaffe revealing botched prediction
