Barça clings to the epic against Bayern
The ‘culés’ could be eliminated from the Champions League before the duel depending on the result of Inter Milan
BARCELONA, 25 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona will receive this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) Bayern Munich, in a duel that the azulgranas will try to cling to the epic to rush their few options to go to the round of 16 of the Champions League, although their elimination could be decided hours earlier if Inter Milan beat Viktoria Plzen.
Barça’s future in Europe depends on the Italian team. An uncertainty that could be resolved before time if the ‘neroazzurri’ add three points. Thus, the Catalan team would live for the second consecutive year its exile to the Europa League, confirming the debacle of a team made to win all the titles.
Xavi Hernández’s men seem to have closed their wound after entrusting their continental destiny to a plethoric Inter, who got a valuable draw (3-3) from Spotify Camp Nou. A sports crisis that Real Madrid enlarged at the Santiago Bernabéu to take the league throne from the ‘culés’. These two setbacks erased the remains of euphoria, after the defeats in Munich and San Sirno. Now, they try to recover it based on goals.
But Barça, beyond staying alive in one competition or another, wants to recover its lost pride against Bayern Munich, the trigger for the entity’s biggest problems in recent years. A confrontation in which Robert Lewandowski, powerless in the first duel against his former team, wants to turn his fury into goals.
The Pole has kept afloat the few hopes of his team in the Champions League. A recital of goals tarnished in the defeat against Bayern and Inter at home, the negative record of a squad that has made its falls in Europe a regular tonic.
The victories against Villarreal (3-0) and Athletic Club (4-0) have improved the spirits of Barcelona fans, who hope to make up for themselves against the Bavarians in their more than likely farewell to the top continental competition.
The good news for Xavi is the resurgence of Ousmane Dembélé, who has achieved greater regularity in his ‘sparks’ with goals and assists in recent weeks. In the same way as Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres, both with a testimonial role surpassed by the Frenchman and Raphinha, and who knock on the door of eleven to prolong their good form with their sights set on the World Cup in Qatar.
Another of the proper names is that of Frenkie de Jong, a protagonist in the midfield and who could play the role of a Sergio Busquets noted in Europe. Ahead, Gavi could maintain his commitment from the start, already recovered from his strong blow to the adductor, to accompany his faithful companion Pedri de him.
In the defensive line, marked this last month and repaired with two clean sheets in the last two league games, Koundé’s partner could be Marcos Alonso, although Xavi’s bet on Eric García is not ruled out either. Meanwhile, the right back will be for Héctor Bellerín, after Sergi Roberto’s injury, and on the left Alejandro Balde could once again win the game against Jordi Alba.
For its part, Bayern Munich will seek to open the Barça wound once again and seal their group leadership. And it will do so with three important casualties for Julian Nagelsmann, who will not be able to count on his captain Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sané and Lucas Hernández.
Precisely, both the German winger and the French defender gave victory to their team against Barça at the Allianz Arena. In the case of Müller, who has won seven of the eight games he has played against the azulgranas, in which he has scored eight goals, he has entered the squad after suffering an upset stomach over the weekend.
The Bavarian team maintains its good form in the Bundesliga, dispelling its initial doubts with four draws and one defeat. For this reason, they also want to increase their hegemony in Europe against a harmless rival for them since 2015, when Barcelona beat them for the last time.
FC BARCELONA: Ter Stegen, Bellerin, Koundé, Eric Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Pedri, Frenkie; Dembele, Lewandowski and Raphinha.
BAYERN MUNICH: Ulreich; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sabitzer, Mané, Gravenberch and Müller.
–REFEREE: Anthony Taylor (GBR)
–STADIUM: Spotify Camp Nou.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m./Movistar Champions League.
