Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner has challenged his facet to beat Spanish giants Barcelona of their plum Europa League quarter-final tie following Friday’s draw.
Frankfurt marched on in Europe Thursday by forcing an personal aim in additional time to seal a 1-1 draw at residence to Actual Betis, incomes a 3-2 combination win within the final 16.
The ball bounced into Betis’ aim off away defender Guido Rodriguez within the one hundred and twentieth minute to place hosts Frankfurt by means of in dramatic vogue.
Actual Betis are fifth in Spain’s high flight with Barcelona third, inspiring Glasner to problem his facet earlier than their mouth-watering residence leg on April 7.
“I’ll say casually and provocatively: when you can progress towards the fifth-placed group within the Spanish league, you are able to do the identical towards the group (Barcelona) who’re third,” urged Glasner.
Frankfurt sports activities director Markus Kroesche mentioned he took coronary heart from seeing Barcelona squeeze previous Galatasaray with a 2-1 away win of their final 16, second leg tie.
Barca wanted objectives by midfielder Pedri and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to come back from behind in Istanbul on Thursday following a goalless first leg.
“We noticed Galatasaray posed excessive issues for Barcelona and that’s our aim too,” mentioned Kroesche.
Frankfurt have gained their final two Bundesliga video games to sit down ninth in Germany’s high flight.
They final reached the Europa League semi-finals in 2019 once they misplaced to Chelsea on penalties, however have their work reduce out towards five-time European champions Barcelona.
Glasner insists his Frankfurt group will play to beat Barcelona and attain the final 4 with the winner of the quarter-final between West Ham and Lyon ready.
“After we drew Barcelona, the gamers cheered and had been completely satisfied as a result of it’s only a dazzling title,” added Glasner.
“The boys went out, however I introduced them again and mentioned that the semi-finals would even be drawn – it doesn’t finish with Barcelona.
“We’re assured that we will overcome this hurdle.”
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