Group C | Matchday 5
Xavi’s men need to beat Bayern at the Camp Nou and for Inter not to beat Viktoria Pilsen in Italy
A miracle. That is what Barcelona needs this Wednesday to stay alive in the Champions League. The team led by Xavi Hernández faces Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou with the obligation to achieve the three points and with the need that, two hours before, Inter Milan have not imposed themselves on Viktoria Pilsen at the San Siro. If the Italian team beats the Czechs there will be no more accounts to do and the Catalans would play the Europa League for the second consecutive season.
“We are in a very uncomfortable situation and there are many numbers for us not to pass, but we have a little hope, which is the last thing to be lost. We do not depend on ourselves, that is the misfortune », assured Xavi this Tuesday at the press conference prior to his team’s match against Bayern Munich. The Tarrasa coach is aware that his team needs a miracle to stay alive in the Champions League, but he also knows that his team urgently needs to beat an important rival in Europe to continue gaining confidence in this type of event. “We have to show that we can be at the level of these teams,” he added.
And it is that the game against Bayern is a final for what is at stake and it is also because Barça arrives wounded in pride. Xavi’s men need to win once and for all against a heavyweight team on the European scene to prove to themselves that they are capable of competing against direct rivals for titles. This is the case of a Bayern that was the first to bring the Catalans down from the cloud before Inter Milan, on two occasions, and Real Madrid in the classic triggered all doubts about the new project.
To put an end to these doubts, Xavi will not be able to count on Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto, Andreas Christensen and Memphis Depay due to injury, as he continues to finalize the final process of his recovery. These absences will condition an eleven in which Héctor Bellerín could return to the right lane, De Jong take the place of the limping Gavi and Raphinha could accompany Dembélé and Lewandowski at the spearhead. The other unknown is whether Xavi will bet on the usual 4-3-3 or will repeat the surprising 4-4-2 that served him to beat Athletic and that could be a new variant to put an end to the problem of defensive transitions.
The German roller is scary
Opposite will be a team that knows how to get their hands on Barcelona like few others. Bayern has starred in some of the most blushing nights for the Barça team in Europe and travels to the Camp Nou with the idea of finishing off the job in a group stage that until now has been a military walk for Julian Nagelsmann’s men. The Germans have added the twelve points that they have disputed and a new victory or that Inter does not win would serve to secure a first place that has practically been theirs since the starting signal was given to the maximum continental competition.
Bayern have shown their best version in the Champions League, but in the Bundesliga they have shown that they are currently a giant with feet of clay. He has achieved just 22 points of the 33 he has played, earthly numbers that have given wings to a Berlin Union that has become the great revelation of the German championship and that is currently the leader of the competition. To put an end to this irregularity, Nagelsmann will be able to count on all his players except for Bouna Sarr, Neuer, Sané, Coman and Lucas Hernández. Sensitive casualties that could reduce the potential of a team willing to embitter another European night for Barça.
Likely lineups
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Barcelona:
Ter Stegen, Bellerín, Koundé, Eric García, Balde, Busquets, De Jong, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski and Dembélé. -
Bayern Munich:
Ulreich, Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies, Kimmich, Goretzka, Gnabry, Musiala, Mané, and Choupo-Moting. -
Referee:
Anthony Taylor (England). -
Hour:
9:00 p.m. -
Stadium:
Camp Nou. -
TV:
Movistar Champions League.
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