Galatasaray Fans Set Off Fireworks Outside Barcelona Team Hotel At 3:46am

Galatasaray fans attempted to disrupt Barcelona's preparation for this evening's Europa League last 16 tie by setting off fireworks outside the team hotel. Check it out below.

A group of Galatasaray fans gathered outside The Ritz Carlton at 3:46am overnight and decided to set off a number of fireworks near the building.

It's unknown if any Barcelona players were left discomforted by the fireworks.

It's a tactic that's been used against the Catalan giants before, with Paris Saint-Germain fans trying to same tactic before last season's Champions League last 16 tie.

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They took it a step further, however, by renting a room in the same building and setting off the fire alarm before being arrested.

Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou last week and know they need a positive result in front of a hostile home crowd.

Xavi's side are still favourites to go through however and are on a fine run of form domestically and in Europe, being unbeaten in all competitions since January.

January signings Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have impressed, while Dani Alves' return as a free agent has bolstered spirits.

It's in stark contrast to Galatasaray, who are 11th in the Super Lig.

The 22-time winners are on course for their worst league finish in 40 years.

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"We have analysed what happened to us – they deprived us of attacking in the best way possible," Xavi stressed when discussing the first leg in his pre-match press conference per Football-Espana.

"We will try to generate more chances. Galatasaray planned a very defensive system and the goalkeeper was at a great level.

"We didn’t have out best game at Camp Nou."

Barcelona are arguably favourites for the Europa League after dropping down from the Champions League.

They defeated Napoli 5-3 in their knockout round play-off last month.

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It's believed the Blaugrana will play their strongest possible team, despite a big game in La Liga on Sunday.

They travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in a vital El Clasico clash.

Xavi continued: "Our main objective is to be in the Champions League. Right now we are in the Europa League, and winning it will give us access to the Champions League. So we really want to win it, even if it is the Europa League."