Barcelona versus Real Madrid – Match Preview: UEFA Champions League
The second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final takes place on May 3, at Nou Camp between Real Madrid and Barcelona. The Los Blancos need to comeback from a two goal deficit which they conceded in their defeat to Pep Guardiola’s team just a week ago.
The first leg was a feisty one for sure but the second leg will be a sight to behold as another Ronaldo versus Messi battle takes place. Thus let’s take a look at how both the outfits will line up in Catalonia.
Barcelona
Pep Guardiola’s team are in pole position to make it to the final of the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three years following their two goal rout of Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu in the first leg of the semi-final. However the men in red
and blue will have to be at the top of their passing game when Real Madrid come calling at Nou Camp.
With the home support behind their backs, one would expect Barcelona to march to the final but the previous leg showcased that not even a two nil win can be termed as an easy win in an El Clasico. Barcelona will play the same way as they have done all season
if Xavi Hernandez’s pre-match comments are to be taken seriously. If that is so, then they will run rampant against Real Madrid at Nou Camp.
Real Madrid
Humiliated and disgraced at their own home stadium just a week ago, Jose Mourinho’s men will need to produce an epic performance if they are to gain a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League at Wembley. Jose stated after the first leg that his team
was already out of the competition after their two goal loss at Bernabéu but the Portuguese manager will surely go for the kill at Nou Camp. Madrid lost on the weekend as well to make matters worse for their manager.
Los Blancos have a great history in the European Cup but in the UEFA Champions League no team has ever pulled back from a two goal away defeat in the first leg. If anyone can do it, it’s Mourinho’s men. They will be hurting from the first leg and thus looking
to gain revenge on their separatist rivals.
Team News
Barcelona will be without Maxwell, Adriano and Eric Abidal as well as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxwell-c25051 and Adriano are recovering from their previous
injury troubles. Abidal is sidelined as he is still recovering from liver surgery.
Expected Barcelona line up: Victor Valdes, Daniel Alves, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296.
Real Madrid are still fretting on Sami Khedira’s fitness levels alongside http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Gago-c13652. The German midfielder missed the first leg at Santiago Bernabéu and is set to miss the second leg at Nou Camp as well. Gago is also sidelined for the second leg. Sergio
Ramos and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670 are out of the second leg due to their bookings in the first leg against Barcelona
Expected Real Madrid line up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cristiano-Ronaldo-c9629, Angel Di Maria
Prediction
Barcelona hardly falter in such situations. Their tiki-taka ideology will carry them through despite Real Madrid’s vengeful mood after the incidents at Santiago Bernabéu. Prediction: 2-1 to Barcelona.
The views expressed by the writer are his own and do not reflect the editorial policy of
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