Galatasaray fans set off fireworks outside Barcelona stars’ hotel through the night ahead of Europa League clash
BARCELONA players had a rough night’s sleep after Galatasaray fans set off FIREWORKS outside their hotel.
The two teams clash in a hotly anticipated Europa League last-16 second leg on Thursday night.
The Catalan giants haven’t played in Europe’s second-tier competition in 18 YEARS, but face a chance to reach the quarter finals if they win in Turkey.
Xavi Hernandez’s side are unbeaten since January and have been on top form since the transfer window shut and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined the team.
Boss Xavi described Aubameyang as a ‘gift from heaven’ in an interview this week.
The striker has regained his goal scoring prowess at Barca, his five goals in his first six league games is a record no one has achieved since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2009.
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The 32-year-old has played a huge part in the Catalan giants’ sudden rejuvenation.
Star winger Ousmane Dembele has also found a fresh lease of life since being booed by his own fans in February.
The 24-year-old Frenchman looked set for a move away until transfer talks broke down, and he has thrived since.
Barcelona were still held to a goalless draw with Galatasaray the the first leg at the Camp Nou last week, setting up the crucial decider.
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In Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, Xavi said: “We cannot slip up, it’s all or nothing.
“We need more intensity than the first leg. I did not like the first half. We were better in the second half but not clinical.
“We didn’t do our homework last week and now we have to win away at a tough stadium, with fans that really support the team, some of the best in Europe.”
Earlier this week, Barcelona agreed a mega-money partnership with Spotify.