After a tricky, yet important win in the champions league during midweek, we now move onto an even more important game in La Liga. For the first time in the new year, we are finally playing at home, in what is a vital game in the title race. After a very controversial defeat against Sociedad last weekend, it’s narrowed the gap at the top of the table, putting pressure on us this afternoon.
The sad thing about last weekend, was that the performance overall, was by far and away one of our very best of the season. We thoroughly deserved the win, but thanks to some very suspicious refereeing decisions and all out bad luck, the ball just wouldn’t go in. Now we move into this afternoon’s game with motivation to get the job done this time. Live from 4:15pm local time, from the Spotify Camp Nou, its Barça up against newly promoted side, Real Oviedo.
A Quick Look at our opponent:
As I’ve just mentioned above, our opponent for today’s game is the newly promoted side, Real Oviedo. A team with aspirations to remain in the top division, and to be fair to them, they did put up a decent fight in our last game against them, all the way back at the beginning stages of the season. Coming into today’s game, they are rock bottom of the table, 8 points off the safety positions. Notably, thy are also the team that has scored the least amount of goals in the league, whilst also being the 6th highest conceding teams in the top division too. On paper, like we always seem to say, the favourites for today’s game is clear. But that doesn’t mean much at all.
They’ve got safety in La Liga to fight for, and a game against Barcelona would be one of their very biggest for a long time. Tactically, they’ll come to defend and try and hit us on the counter, or in behind our defensive line. So, it’s not going to be straight forward, even despite how it may look on paper. So lets have a look to see how we might lineup!
Predicted lineup:
Coming into today’s game, we are going to be without a key player, a vitally important player for our team. Pedri, sadly picked up an injury against Slavia Praha in midweek, meaning we will be without his magic for about a month. His absence will be obvious, but you’re looking at other players in that midfield to really step up. The likes of Casado spring to mind, but personally, id love to see Bernal in the midfield, alongside Frenkie. Eric will most likely be the preferred option, but the idea is there. As for the rest of the team, Cubarsi is expected to return to the starting lineup after being properly rested in midweek.
My starting lineup:
Joan Garçia
Kounde- Cubarsi- Martin- Balde
Eric- Frenkie
Yamal- Fermin- Raphinha
Lewandowski
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