Galatasaray vs. Barcelona to battle in Europa League on Thursday

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Hopeful Galatasaray are set to play one of the most critical matches in the 2021-22 season as the Lions will take on Barcelona in the UEFA Europa League's last 16 second leg on Thursday in Istanbul.

Barcelona have been the favorites of this tie but the first leg in Spain ended 0-0 on March 10.

The goalless draw at Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium raised quarterfinals hopes of Galatasaray.

As UEFA abolished the away goals rule at the beginning of this season, the winning team in the second leg will qualify for the quarterfinals.

On Monday, Kerem Akturkoglu-led Galatasaray beat city rivals Besiktas 2-1 at home in the Turkish Super Lig, which meant a morale boosting victory for the Lions.

The Galatasaray vs. Barcelona showdown at Istanbul's Nef Stadium will begin at 8.45 p.m. local time (1745 GMT).

Italian referee Daniele Orsato will officiate the match.

- 2nd leg fixtures in last 16

RB Leipzig from Germany automatically qualified for the Europa League quarterfinals as their last 16 tie versus Russia's Spartak Moscow was previously canceled by UEFA for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

UEFA barred Russian teams and clubs from its competitions until further notice.

There are now seven available berths for the Europa League last eight.

Thursday:

(First leg results in the brackets)

Crvena zvezda - Rangers (0-3)

Monaco - Braga (0-2)

Bayer Leverkusen - Atalanta (2-3)

Galatasaray - Barcelona (0-0)

Olympique Lyon - Porto (1-0)

West Ham United - Sevilla (0-1)

Eintracht Frankfurt - Real Betis (2-1)