Barcelona 0-0 Galatasaray: Xavi and Co don't do their homework before heading to 'hell'

Barcelona 0-0 Galatasaray: Xavi and Co don't do their homework before heading to 'hell'

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The Catalans drew at home in the Europa League round of 16 with the Turkish visitors

This was not the big performance or result Barcelona wanted in the last 16 first leg against a stubborn Galatasaray, determined to head back to Istanbul without a deficit.

Xavi took the opportunity to bring in Memphis Depay after his recent goals from the bench and Eric Garcia came in for Gerard Pique. Nico Gonzalez was named as part of the midfield trio, with Sergio Busquets afforded a rest.

The tight win over Elche at the weekend could be put down to the hosts defensive display, but even though Galatasaray were similarly defensive it would be too kind to Barcelona to suggest that was the case again.

The Turkish side, 12th in their domestic division, were given an easy ride in the first half, with Xavi’s men failing to create anything of note.

The closest they came were a couple of Memphis Depay digs from distance. One a free kick tipped wide by Inaki Pena, the other a curler from distance.

Xavi did not like what he saw and made changes at half-time. In came Gerard Pique, Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets, with Ronald Araujo, Ferran Torres and Nico Gonzalez making way.

The Catalans improved a little after the break, with Frenkie de Jong coming closest with an effort that hit the post after substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s overhead kick fell into his path. That was as close as they got, though.

With the second leg in Istanbul coming just three days before the Clasico, this result is far from ideal.

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