2023-11-27 19:24:11
This Tuesday, Barça has one of those games that must be won no matter what. The team led by Xavi Hernández faces Porto at the Lluis Companys Stadium in a key duel to make a splash in the Champions League, sealing their place in the round of 16 and, in the process, securing first place in the standings. It is a fundamental meeting because of what is at stake, but also because it would allow the Blaugranas to gain peace of mind ahead of the final day and clear up doubts after several games in which the Catalans have not shown their best version.
«Every game is important, but in this one we had a lot at stake. It is a vital match that must be competed in the best possible way. It is a great opportunity because it can be a turning point. We depend on ourselves. In the fifth game, we could already be in the round of 16,” said Xavi in the press conference prior to his team’s match against Porto. The Terrassa coach was self-critical of his team’s play after the culés’ last games and warned about the importance of a crucial duel for what Barça has ahead.
And beating Porto would mean many things. The Portuguese team is tied on points at the top of the table and a victory would seal the pass and leave behind the direct rival for the lead. But not only that. A victory would also put an end to the noise of the last matches and gain peace of mind ahead of a final day in which Barça could even rotate away games against Antwerp, an option that would suit Xavi like a glove in the face of the crowds. of matches prevailing in the current competition calendar.
For this, Xavi will be able to count on all his players except for Gavi, the only confirmed absence after the torn ligaments in his right knee that he suffered last week. There will, therefore, be Sergi Roberto, who has already overcome his physical problems and Ter Stegen could even arrive in time, who continues to struggle. “He will test tomorrow to see if he is one hundred percent,” said the Egarense regarding the participation of the German goalkeeper. The former Borussia Mönchengladbach player could be the big news in an eleven in which Xavi will not carry out experiments. Koundé and Araujo will return at the back, Gündogan, Pedri and De Jong will provide creativity to the midfield and up top Raphinha and Joao Félix are expected to be the partners that Lewandowski did not find last Saturday at the Vallecas Stadium.
A rival with a lot to win
Opposite will be a team that has little to lose. Porto knows of the superiority of its rival, but it is also aware that Barcelona is not going through its best moment and that it is a team that can be tickled to turn upside down a group that already jumped ahead on the fourth day. the air with the defeat of the culés in Hamburg against Shakhtar. The ‘Dragoes’ also arrive at a great time. The team led by Sergio Conceiçao has won seven victories in the last eight games between the League, Cup and Champions League and is already third in the domestic competition, three points behind Sporting and Benfica, intractable at the start of the competition.
Porto has based its improvement on being a tremendously brave team. Conceiçao has achieved, with its usual 4-4-2, a compact team, which concedes very few chances to the rival and which still has talent up front to decide at any moment. Not in vain, the Portuguese are the team with the fewest goals scored in Portugal with eight goals against and will land at the Lluis Companys with that strength as their main asset, although with the absences due to injury of Iván Jaime, Gabriel Verón, Marcano and Wendell, and the of David Carmo for accumulation of warnings.
-Probable alignments:
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Cancelo, Kound, Araujo, Balde, Gundogan, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Lewandowski and Joao Felix.
Oporto: Diogo Costa, Joao Mario, Pepe, Fabio Cardoso, Sanusi, Galeano, Varela, Eustaquio, Pepé, Evanilson and Taremi.
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy).
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Stadium: Lluis Companys.
TV: Movistar Champions League.
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