Late defeat | OneFootball

Eintracht’s U19s produced a goal-filled encounter against FC Barcelona, including efforts from Dills and Ilicevic, but ultimately lost 4-3.

On the final matchday of the UEFA Youth League, Eintracht’s youngsters put in a focused and impressive performance right from the off against defending champions FC Barcelona at the Estadi Johan Cruyff. The Eagles were aggressive and strong in the tackle at the back, while also showing their ruthlessness at the opposite end of the pitch. 

Dills opens the scoringThat much was evident in the 21st minute when Marvin Dills curled a superb 20-metre free-kick over the wall and into the top left-hand corner to put Eintracht in front. 

Ilicevic doubles the advantageBarcelona pushed for an equaliser but the Eagles hit them with a textbook counter in first-half stoppage time. Dills and Maurice Spahn were both involved in the attack before the ball was worked to Niko Ilicevic, who made it 2-0 at the interval. Barca apply pressureThe hosts hit back in the 56th minute with a Pedro Villar header from a corner, but Eintracht responded in ideal fashion, restoring their two-goal advantage just 120 seconds later. Noah Fenyö sent Dills into space down the right and the scorer of the Eagles’ first goal darted into the box and nutmegged goalkeeper Eder Aller for his second of the game. 

Late lossThe Catalan side’s pressure eventually took its toll in the closing stages, however, as Shane Kluivert reduced the deficit to 3-2 following a corner. Kluivert equalised with a first-time drive shortly afterwards before Pedro Rodriguez grabbed a late winner for Barcelona in stoppage time (90’+3). As such, Eintracht went unrewarded for their impressive display and now face a nervous wait to reach the next round.