FC Barcelona would be hoping for a miracle when they host Juventus at the Camp Nou. The Catalans are trailing by three goals from the first leg and need to score at least three more goals without conceding to take the tie into extra time.
Barcelona definitely have the big guns who can pull their team from this difficult condition but recent form hasn’t been good for them. A resilient Malaga brushed off the Catalans with a 2-0 win in the La Liga. Then they also had to get past Real Sociedad 3-2 with a not so convincing performance and after seeing their recent performances, Juventus would be licking their chops.
Juventus will have a realistic chance to give Barcelona a taste of their own medicine. The final of the 2015 Champions League is still fresh in their minds and they would be determined to pile more misery on Barcelona. Max Allegri’s strategy was absolutely pinpoint in the last match and if he can control the movement of the Barcelona front three, anything is possible.
Team News And Predicted Lineups
Barcelona
Javier Mascherano is a doubtful starter after his calf injury but according to reports he is recovering quickly and might get fit before the game. Apart from this Luis Enrique almost has a full strength squad to face the Italian giants, Sergio Busquets who missed the last match for suspension will be returning to the starting lineup and Enrique will be rooting for a 3-4-3 formation which has brought more success than the usual 4-3-3 in this campaign.
Ter Stegen; Mascherano, Pique, Umtiti; Roberto, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Juventus
Paulo Dybala pulled a knock in the 2-0 win against Pescara but is expected to be fit for this crunch game. The presence of Dybala will give the visiting side a cutting edge as he holds the key to this match.
Buffon; Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Pjanic, Khedira; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain
Key Players
Paulo Dybala
Termed as the next ‘Messi’, the Argentine superstar is a household name in Italy. He hogged the limelight at the Juventus Stadium for the past two seasons with his scintillating performances. The 23-year-old has been playing the role of a withdrawn striker as Max Allegri has been using him as more of a false nine. Dybala’s late movement and flair on the ball would be very handy for Juventus.
Barcelona
Lionel Messi
There is only one player in this Barcelona team who can lead a comeback and that is none other than Lionel Messi. Despite his team’s barren run of games, Messi remained the only player who has been trying to make a statement. Riding on his shoulder Barcelona staged a miraculous comeback in the last round against PSG and if he is on song Juventus should be very scared.
