Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says overturning Barcelona’s first-leg lead at the Nou Camp to reach the Champions League semi-finals would surpass Manchester United’s last-16 heroics against Paris Saint-Germain.
United, who famously overturned a two-goal deficit at PSG in the last-16, need another heroic comeback on April 16 to keep their Champions League hopes alive after Luke Shaw’s own goal handed Barca the advantage in their quarter-final tie.
“Going to the Nou Camp is going to be a challenge. It would be a greater achievement. With the history of Barcelona, they are not used to losing at home, but we can do it, no doubt about it.
United’s trip to Nou Camp evokes memories of the 1999 Champions League final in which Solskjaer scored the winning goal deep into stoppage-time.
The United boss has revealed he intends to take more chances after he side failed to register a single effort on target at Old Trafford, but joked that the club know a thing or two about scoring goals at Barca’s iconic ground.
“We know we can carry a goal threat,” Solskjaer added. “Whoever is playing up front, we have to provide a bit more ammunition for them.
Barcelona held the door ajar, but Manchester United proceeded to hit their head on the frame. It was an opportunity missed, writes Lewis Jones.
“We need to be effective and efficient over there because we’re not going to create loads of chances, we have to take what we get.
“We will have to take more chances, release Paul [Pogba] or Scott [McTominay] from midfield, help the strikers and try to get crosses into the box.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde told his post-match press conference: “We know it’s a tight result.
“There is a second game to come, we know they can react away from home and they did well against PSG.