Pedri, Aubameyang Lead Barca Into Europa League Quarter-Finals

• Coach Xavi hails ‘sublime’ Pedri after spectacular goal

Barcelona’s name goes into the hat for this year’s Europa League quarter-final draw on Friday, with the ties scheduled to take place at the beginning of April.

By this victory, the Catalans extended their unbeaten run to 11 games in all competitions ahead of their meeting with Real Madrid in LaLiga on Sunday while Galatasaray’s attention now turns back to the league, with Gaziantep next up in the Super Lig.

Coming from behind, the Spanish giants beat Galatasaray 2-1 to reach the quarter-final after the first leg tie in Camp Nou ended goalless about two weeks ago.

Marcao broke the deadlock, scoring a diving header to put Galatasaray in the lead. But less than 10 minutes later, Barcelona were level after a lovely goal from midfielder Pedri which Coach Xavi described as a “spectacular, sublime beauty”.

The 19-year-old Spain international, who broke onto the international scene during Euro 2020 last year with a string of superb performances, is expected to be named in La Roja’s international squad for this month’s games with Albania and Iceland.

Aubameyang hit the crossbar with a header on the stroke of half-time before scoring the winner just four minutes after the break. Galatasaray’s keeper Pena had pulled off a brilliant double save just before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang nodded in from close range

After the match, Barcelona’s Coach Xavi acknowledged that Pedri came up with a piece of majestic brilliance, saying; “He has made two dribbles. It is a great goal. [He’s] capable of this and much more, [at] 19 years old.

“[It’s] a privilege. It is a goal of spectacular, sublime beauty. It makes the difference. individual marking, that says it all. You have to be more responsible with the ball. I don’t want comparisons with anyone. It’s brutal.” – With Goal.com