Barca to face Eintracht in Europa League quarterfinal 1st leg

Madrid: FC Barcelona will stay on the run for the title as they visit Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal on Thursday, IANS reported.

But, coach Xavi Hernandez will have his team without right-back Sergio Dest and forward Memphis Depay because of injury. Luuk de Jong, on the other hand, has tested Covid-19 positive last weekend, while Dani Alves is not in the squad for Barca for Europe.

For more setbacks for Barca, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, and Ansu Fati are long-term absentees who are continuing their recovery process.

Since Alaves is not in the team, Xavi will have to send Oscar Mingueza to the ground, who is not a form as per the coach's plans at the right back. But Xavi could make rotations in central defence.

FC Barcelona and Ronald Araujo are in close agreement for the Uruguayan defender to extend his contract with the club. In the coming days, a new deal might be signed as discussions have been going on and off for months. Similar talks are going on about winger Ousmane Dembele, who is reportedly inching to leave the team as he rejected a new contract in January. Though many wanted Dembele to be left to warm the bench, Xavi put his faith in him and got rewarded with impressive performances.

After their 1-0 win against Sevilla, they have reached second in LaLiga. The win was over Pedri's remarkable goal, and he will be Barca's focal point against Eintracht Frankfurt. Eintracht is at the ninth in the Bundesliga but is really strong, who knocked Betis out of the last round. Therefore Barca needs to be cautious regarding keeping possession.