More than 20,000 Frankfurt fans who made it to the Camp Nou Stadium received the best possible award from their team.
Barcelona, perhaps the biggest winner in the European Football League, unexpectedly fell to Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, winning the second half of the quarterfinals 3–2 and advancing 4 to 3 overall.
The atmosphere at Camp Nou Stadium was like in Frankfurt’s home game, with an estimated more than 20,000 German supporters. Barcelona had officially sold 5,000 tickets to Frankfurt in the auditorium area assigned to them, but white-shirted Frankfurt supporters were seen everywhere in the stadium.
In Euro football competitions, fans of the away team will not, in principle, be sold tickets to the spectators of the home team for safety reasons. Even before the match, Frankfurt supporters gathered in the Plaza Catalunya in central Barcelona and marched spectacularly into the stadium.
At the Barcelona camp, the huge support of Frankfurt supporters could not be expected. Spanish Sport magazine (go to another service) however, the club suspended ticket sales on Wednesday to prevent Germans from buying more tickets.
– I was surprised that the stadium had so many German fans. The club needs to investigate this, defender Ronald Araujo stated.
– The atmosphere at the stadium didn’t help us today. It is clear that an error has occurred on our side. This should not happen when we play at home. Players demand an explanation, Barcelona head coach Xavi in turn said Sports magazine Marcan (go to another service) by.
President of Barcelona Joan Laporta regretted what happened right after the match.
– I’m worried and ashamed of this. This must not happen again. As we learn more, we’ll take action. We need to be tougher on this, Laporta said.
Barcelona supporters are protesting the Frankfurt enthusiast invasion already in the middle of the match. The audience behind the second goal of the loudest supporters remained empty for ten minutes from the start of the second period. However, supporters returned to the auditorium with the familiar flags of Barcelona and Catalonia.
Captain of Frankfurt Sebastian Rode naturally praised his supporters profusely. Until ten years ago, Rode played in the Frankfurt shirt in the second league of Germany.
– Fans like that bring us incredible power to the field. We realized their dream of beating Barcelona. The development of the club has been incredible, Rode rejoiced in Frankfurt website (go to another service).
Players celebrate victory with the fans at the stadium long after the match is over.
– I thought we were in Frankfurt when I came to the warm-up. It was important for us to get to celebrate with the supporters. You helped us a lot. This evening was full of pride and joy, goalkeeper Kevin Trapp praised.
In the semi-finals, Frankfurt will face West Ham. In the second semi – final pair, Leipzig and Glen Kamaran to represent the Rangers.