Monday, May 11, 2015
Barcelona are only hours away from one of the most exciting moments in their recent history: Securing a place in the final of the most competitive competition in world football for the eighth time in club history.
Despite being two matches away from potentially lifting their fifth Champions League trophy, manager Luis Enrique would be wise to give the next 90 minutes in Munich the importance they deserve. Even if most in Catalunya are assuming the 3-0 advantage achieved at the Camp Nou has already granted their place in the final round, Barcelona still need to finish the task at hand.
Whoever believes that the club is going to have an easy ride in Germany should think again. Expecting a manager of Pep Guardiola's calibre to crash out of the most prestigious competition in Europe without a proper fight after a disappointing result in the first leg is delusional. Sure, Bayern are missing a considerable number of key players but if there is a tactician in world football who can turn this adverse situation around, that is certainly Pep.
Having said that, it is clear that it was in fact Luis Enrique who won the tactical battle at the Camp Nou. The home side managed to control the tempo of the game well and performed superbly defensively in the periods when the Germans seemed to have the upper hand.
After many years of basing their chances of success in keeping prolonged possession of the ball, many were shocked to see how it was in fact Barcelona's direct attacking transitions, relentless chasing and robust organisation that secured the hosts' victory. Although the current team is always waiting for their chance to push towards the opponents' net, it is also comfortable with sitting back and hit on the counterattack if needed.
Judging by how the Camp Nou has repeatedly chanted Luis Enrique's name in recent matches, we can safely agree that the vast majority of the Catalan club's fan base is pleased with the change from Guardiola's artist approach. Especially with the impressive results it has generated so far.
Although it is clear that the straight-talking Asturian manager can be a tough nut to crack at times, the undeniable truth is that he has lead Barcelona to a privileged position. It is likely that they will be lifting their second treble in over 115 years of history as there are four (hopefully five) more matches to be played.
nder Luis Enrique, the Blaugranas have won 85.7 percent of their games (W48, D3, L5) and built a jaw-dropping +136 goal difference in all competitions in the process. If anybody had predicted such a fantastic scenario when he inherited Gerardo Martino's declining squad only twelve months ago, they would have certainly been locked away and tested for insanity.
Barcelona will take to the Allianz Arena pitch boasting the most effective front three in world football. The Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar attacking trident continues to impress on a weekly basis, constantly connecting, creating goalscoring chances and, more importantly, helping each other find the opponents' net in virtually every match.
Pep Guardiola has repeatedly admitted that, regardless of how well-organised rivals may be, his former protegee Messi is virtually unstoppable. As usual, the diminutive Argentinean responded to praise by raising to new heights, unbalancing the tie with an instantly legendary burst of magic which, despite only lasting four minutes, made every football lover buzz in disbelief for the whole of the following week.
Although, deservedly, the media spotlight is firmly fixed on Messi's shoulders once again, it is in fact the threat posed by his teammates which makes the current team unique. With Neymar currently on a streak of six consecutive games scoring at least once and Luis Suarez eager to add to his six goals in eight European appearances tally, it would definitely be a mistake for Guardiola to focus all his efforts on containing the unpredictable No.10.
Barcelona have not lost in any competition since late February and have only conceded once in their last eight outings, a consequence not only of the record 112 goals their deadly attacking trio has scored so far but also a result of a conscious effort to become a more cohesive, determined unit defensively.
Fortunately, Luis Enrique and his squad all know that prior success counts for nothing once the ball starts rolling in the Allianz Arena. "We are focused, concentrated and ready to win the game. We won't sit back, but a crazy game does not suit us," the manager said in prematch conference.
"We are coming off the back some good performances away from home and we will maintain our objectives. If we go forward with the idea that we have to go after the game, that will bring us close to the final. We know that we can create problems for them"
Although the 3-0 victory achieved in the first leg should be used as a safety cushion to fall on if needed, the team must remain fully focused from the initial whistle in order to avoid any unsavoury events -- especially if Bayern manage to score an early goal in front of their home crowd.
Barcelona predicted XI: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez and Messi.
