A positive draw of 1 - 1 overshadowed the match between German club Eintracht Frankfurt and Spanish guest Barcelona on Thursday in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. The other matches resulted in a 1 - 1 draw between German club RB Leipzig and Italian guest Atalanta, while Portuguese club Sporting Braga defeated Scottish guest Rangers 1 - 0.
In Frankfurt, the home team took the lead through Ansgar Knauff in the 48th minute, before Ferran Torres equalized for Barcelona in the 66th minute. Frankfurt was forced to play with ten men starting from the 77th minute after Brazilian player Tuta received a red card for a second yellow.
With this draw, Barcelona maintained their unbeaten streak at 14 matches, since their last defeat on January 20, when they lost 2 - 3 to Athletic Bilbao in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. Consequently, both teams must win in the return match, which will take place at Camp Nou, the home ground of the Catalan team, next Thursday to continue in the tournament.
