Two weeks ago, Robert Lewandowski scored two goals against Inter to leave Barcelona with a theoretical chance of reaching the round of 21 of the Champions League. "Blaugrana" is hoping for a miracle ahead of tonight's match with Bayern Munich (XNUMX), because not everything depends on her, but also on Inter, who welcome Pilsen. If the "Neroazuri" win, then everything will be solved.
Therefore, we will see Barca in the knockout phase of the Europa League for the second season in a row, despite numerous changes in the summer transfer window and a better game than in this period last year when there was a lot of turbulence in the club. But Ćavi's team showed against the "big" teams that it is far from the good results that graced some other generations of the famous Catalan club.
"We have to prove that we can compete against teams like this, regardless of what will happen in Milan. We have a small chance, but we know it will be very complicated. We no longer hold our own destiny in our hands," Xavi said at the press conference.
When the match with Bayern starts, the fate of Barca will be widely known - Inter and Pilsen, in fact, will play already at 18.45:XNUMX. For one of the most important matches of the season, Inter coach Simone Inzagi has prepared "heavy artillery", as the recovered Romelu Lukaku should finally return to the team.
"A team like ours has to grow. We have a tough game ahead of us. We are one step away from the first goal of the season. Otherwise, it would be very difficult in Munich. We know how much we worked in the previous four games. We have to show that we are a great team and to give satisfaction to our fans," said Inzaghi.
But even if a miracle happened to "Giuseppe Meaca", would Barca be ready to take advantage of it?
The Catalans did not celebrate in important matches this season. In La Liga, they lost to Real, and in the Champions League, they lost to both competitors for placement in the next stage - Inter and Bayern. The negative streak in the matches with the Bavarian giant is particularly interesting - in 2015, in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, Barcelona defeated Bayern 3:0, which was the last victory of "Blaugrana" over the team from Munich. After that, they played five matches, all five were won by Bayern, and the last three without conceding a goal. If we look a little further into the past, then we come to the fact that the triumph of the Spanish giant from 2015 is the only one in the last nine games, that is, in the last 11 years.
"It's a prestigious game between two big European clubs, a game that could bring us first place in the group. If you want to compete for the trophy in the Champions League, then you must not show weaknesses. Barcelona is one of the best teams in Europe "We have prepared for this match. We want to win and win first place in the group," said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsman.
It is also interesting in group B. Club Brugge secured the eighth final, but Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Porto are fighting for the remaining position. The "Kolćoneros" welcome Leverkusen and have an imperative to win, considering that any other result would distance them from spring in the Champions League, which would be a big failure for Diego Simeone's team.
"We are used to these kinds of games. We always have an obligation to win, and now we need to get three points and stay in the race for the knockout phase. We will do our best, as we have done for the past 11 years," said Simeone.
Stefan Savić is in the machine - he will try to stop the dangerous attackers of the "pharmacist", Patrik Šik first of all, but a lot depends on the performance of the offensive attackers of Atlético.
"A special match. The match is like a final for both teams. It will be aggressive, with a lot of intensity... We will do our best. We will attack," Leverkusen coach Ćabi Alonso announced the offensive game.
The Spaniard spoke of Simeone with a special dose of respect.
"I'm inspired by Simeone's energy and the way he transfers it to the players. He's one of the best at it, he knows exactly what he needs to convey to the players. He's very good," Alonso said.
In group A, Liverpool is visiting Ajax and lacks at least one point to secure passage, while the first-placed Napoli welcomes Rangers in a match without significant significance.
Journalists at Liverpool's press conference were interested in why the away team doesn't play as well as it does at home.
"To be honest, I didn't think about it. I'm preparing the team for an important game and, sorry, but I'm not ready for that question at the moment," was the surprised manager of the Reds, Jurgen Klopp.
On Saturday, Liverpool, surprisingly, was defeated away from Nottingham.
"We were in a good moment, until we lost that match. Some players were injured, others could not play, and we played against a team that defended well. We are working and trying to improve the situation. I know it is difficult, it will be difficult and against Ajax, but I'm an optimist. After the first game and the defeat against Napoli, people didn't believe that we would qualify for the round of XNUMX. But now we have the opportunity to ensure the continuation of the competition and that's why we're here," said the German.
It is also interesting in group D, where all four teams have a chance to advance, and tonight Tottenham and Sporting from Lisbon, Eintracht from Frankfurt and Olympique from Marseille meet.
COUPLES
Group A
Ajax - Liverpool (21)
Napoli - Rangers (21)
Group B
Club Brugge - Porto (18.45)
Atletico Madrid - Bayer (21)
Group C:
Inter - Victoria Pilsen (18.45)
Barcelona - Bayern (21)
Group D
Tottenham - Sporting (21)
Eintracht - Marseille (21).
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