By Alex Roberts
The environment on the Sign Iduna Park will probably be as electrical as ever, the Yellow Wall has had little to have a good time domestically this season, it’s only a disgrace it’s going to take a real footballing miracle for them to undergo.
Hansi Flick’s aspect are on the opposite finish of the spectrum. Sitting on the summit of LaLiga in addition to being favourites to win the Champions League, it’s a very good time to be a Barca fan.
Jamie Gittens has disappeared
Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho 2.0 has struggled of late, scoring only one purpose in his final 19 video games. That wouldn’t be so dangerous if he was creating however he’s additionally didn’t register a single help in that point.
It’s fairly the drop off. Gittens registered 14 purpose contributions in his earlier 25 video games, incomes him hyperlinks with a number of the largest golf equipment each again dwelling and on the continent. These hyperlinks are nonetheless there, for now no less than.
Niko Kovač’s aspect had little to no attacking menace within the first leg, Barca took management of the sport from the primary whistle. They’re going to wish greater than Gittens however when he’s in type he can actually make a distinction.
Getting old like a advantageous wine
Veteran striker Robert Lewandowski has been getting all of the headlines, and rightly so, bagging 40 targets in 46 video games throughout all competitions, however he isn’t the one elder statesman ripping it up for Barca this season.
Iñigo Martínez could be Barcelona’s finest centre-back in the mean time. He’s precisely what Flick needs, calm underneath stress, capable of play out from the again, and most significantly, laborious to get previous.
He gained 100% of his tackles within the reverse fixture. He additionally gained 50% of his duels and was dribbled previous zero instances. With younger Pau Cubarsí beside him, Barca are set for the current and the long run.
Lastly discovering his ft
Quite a bit was anticipated from Maximilian Beier when he joined from Hoffenheim final summer time. It’s taken a short time, however he’s beginning to appear like the participant Dortmund thought they had been getting.
Eight purpose contributions in his final ten video games throughout all competitions, together with the opener in Der Klassiker on Saturday, makes him their chief attacking menace over the previous couple of months.
Beier nonetheless has a bit technique to go if he’s going to be the subsequent massive factor at Dortmund. Soccer is a confidence recreation, a powerful efficiency in opposition to Barca would possible do wonders for him.
Alejandro Balde will probably be an enormous miss
The Catalan membership’s hectic schedule has claimed its first sufferer. Balde will possible be out of motion for the subsequent few weeks after selecting up a hamstring harm of their edgy 1-0 win over Leganés on Saturday.
Balde is Hansi Flick’s undisputed favorite within the left-back place, making 43 appearances throughout all competitions, scoring one purpose, and offering eight assists. Fellow La Masia graduate Gerard Martín is presently their solely different choice in that place.
Barca will definitely be with out a fairly potent attacking menace now that Balde is out however fortunately they’ve loads of these in the mean time.
Prediction
Barcelona ought to undergo to the semi-finals with out getting out of first gear due to their huge first-leg win. Having stated that, we don’t predict them to take their eye off the ball. We’re going to go together with a 2-0 win for Barca.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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