NOU-ROPA LEAGUE
Football fans can’t get used to Europa League anthem being played at Nou Camp ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Napoli
BARCELONA began life in the Europa League this evening as they hosted Napoli in the competition's play-off round.
The Catalan giants were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages for the first time in 20 years back in December.
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Their third-place finish below Bayern Munich and Benfica has led to them dropping down into the Europa League for the first time.
And when the tournament's anthem began playing as the two teams lined up ahead of the game, fans could not help but take note of the Nou Camp hosting Europe's secondary competition.
One social media user said: "The Europa League anthem being played in the Nou Camp is so weird ngl.";
Another added: "Europa League nights at the Nou Camp. It's all fun and games until it's happening to you."
And a third said: "Loooool still can’t accept the fact that Barcelona, 10 years ago, were one of the best teams in Europe.
"Now they are playing in a Europa League tie in Nou Camp."
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But others were loving the fact that Barca are now in the Europa League.
One said: "Always prayed for the day I would hear Europa League music at the Nou Camp."
And another person agreed, adding: I don’t care about sentiment, watching the Barcelona players line up and have the Europa League anthem playing in the Nou Camp is f*****g brilliant."
In the game itself, Piotr Zielinski gave the visitors the lead in the 29th minute as they silenced the stadium.
But a Ferran Torres penalty just before the hour mark ensured Barca took a 1-1 draw to Italy next week.
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