Barcelona head to the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday for a pivotal Champions League conflict towards Borussia Dortmund.
Both golf equipment, tied on 12 factors from 5 matches, are eyeing a spot within the final 16.
For Barcelona, this fixture isn’t only a battle for development; it’s an opportunity to say dominance in Europe after a combined home run.
Flick’s dilemma
Under supervisor Hansi Flick, Barcelona have been a power in Europe this season, persistently brushing apart opponents.
A commanding 3-0 victory over Brest of their final Champions League outing saved them firmly within the high eight.
Yet, inconsistency has plagued their home marketing campaign.
A irritating 2-2 draw with Real Betis on Saturday marked one other stumble, permitting Atletico and Real Madrid to shut the hole on the La Liga summit.
Adding to their woes, a shocking defeat to Las Palmas underscored their struggles to keep up momentum.
Despite this, Barcelona thrive on the street.
Flick’s males have netted an astonishing 37 objectives in 13 away matches, with six of these victories determined by three or extra objectives.
Now, the Catalans are poised to win 5 consecutive Champions League video games for the primary time in 4 years.
With their attacking trio – Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski – main the cost, Barcelona has scored at the least three objectives in every of their final 4 UCL victories.
Dortmund’s defenses examined
Dortmund, in the meantime, come into this sport in shaky kind.
After a convincing 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb on matchday 5, their home outcomes have faltered.
Back-to-back Bundesliga attracts towards Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach have left them sixth within the desk, 12 factors adrift of the Bavarians.
The draw with Bayern ended their good residence file, however the Westfalenstadion stays a fortress below supervisor Nuri Şahın, with eight wins in 9 matches this season.
In the Champions League, Dortmund’s assault has been electrical, scoring 16 objectives in 5 video games.
Şahın’s males have an opportunity to safe their finest group-stage efficiency since their title-winning 1997 marketing campaign.
However, historical past isn’t on their aspect.
Dortmund have by no means crushed Barcelona in 4 earlier conferences, and Spanish opposition has confirmed troublesome, highlighted by a 5-2 drubbing from Real Madrid earlier this season.
Injury woes
La Blaugrana enter the match with a cleaner invoice of well being in comparison with their hosts.
While Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati, and Marc Bernal stay sidelined, Ronald Araujo is in competition after 5 months out and Ferran Torres, contemporary off scoring in back-to-back video games, bolsters their choices off the bench.
Inaki Pena will proceed to deputize in aim after Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s season-ending harm.
Dortmund faces a tougher state of affairs.
Niklas Sule’s ankle knock and Maximilian Beier’s current harm additional weaken a backline already stretched skinny.
Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi are racing to be match, leaving Sahin with robust choices.
Gio Reyna’s restricted minutes post-recovery add to the uncertainty.
Firepower battle
With each side boasting potent assaults, followers can count on fireworks.
Barcelona’s Lewandowski, who reached 100 Champions League objectives towards Brest, leads the road with precision, flanked by Yamal’s aptitude and Raphinha’s dynamism.
Meanwhile, Dortmund’s goal-hungry forwards purpose to use Barcelona’s defensive reshuffle.
Source: www.dailysabah.com