The new UEFA Champions League format has changed well and really the game. From a useless end of the game days to one who will see the playoffs of the giants in essential situations, the league stage has been a success.
Barcelona, however, could not be more oblivious to the importance of the final round, since they have already reserved their place in the 16 round after the impressive victory of return over Benfica.
In the final of the eight days of matches in the league, Hansi Flick and Co. blocks the horns with Atalanta in the Olimpic Lluis Company. The only possible scenario they fight for is to overcome Liverpool in the classification if they slide.
Having set seven goals beyond Valencia on the weekend, the Blaugrana Enter the shock in a imperative way. A victory over Atalanta would be the perfect end to what has been a fabulous campaign in the League stage in the UCL.
Universal Barça brings you three points of conversation ahead of Barcelona vs Atalanta.
An immaterial accessory
The difficult beginning of Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League can be explained by the team that falls by a man in just the tenth minute of the game and the uphill battle that they faced thereafter.
Since then, however, Hansi Flick’s side has been in flames in Europe and the classification is a testimony of the same.
Heading to the final of the eight days of the game in the stage of the UEFA Champions League League, the Blaugrana They are second in 18 points.
They have won all the last six games in the competition and have defeated clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Benfica along the way.
Its place in Top 8 is therefore blocked before the last day and will qualify directly for the 16 round, regardless of the result against Atalanta. Given his comfortable situation, the manager can consider him irrelevant.
Barcelona’s situation in the League is far from being so comfortable and it is clear that Catalans need to focus more about their resources on national competition.
Therefore, the film can opt for serious rotations and keep its rested men for the next national matches against Alaves, Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano and the Cup game against Valencia.
The goalkeeper’s debate was established
Hansi Flick’s elaborate press conference before tomorrow’s clash saw the German manager to address a large number of themes ranging from the League race to Atalanta’s game style.
However, a burning theme on which a verdict issued was the future of the goal position this season.
Since the final injury of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s season at the beginning of the season, Inaki Pena seemed to have gained coach’s confidence with Wojciech Szczesny even getting minutes until January.
In recent games, however, the manager has shown confidence in Szczesny in all competitions despite the drastic errors of the Polish star on multiple occasions. In statements to the media today, he confirmed that Szczesny was chosen.
While it is a massive blow for penalty, it is clear that the manager and his team value the veteran’s experience on the growth of penalty. It will begin tomorrow against Atalanta and probably for most of the season ahead.
Two attacker monsters
The 7-1 beating of Barcelona in Valencia last weekend was significant in the attempt of the team to fight in the League. It was, however, a special night even from a statistical point of view, since it was the night the team crossed 100 goals this season.
To achieve the feat just after half of the brand, this term is atrocious and demonstrates why Barcelona is the most lethal attack in Europe and with much. Tomorrow, they block horns against one of the next more attackers.
Atalanta soccer style under Gian Piero Gasperini has been impressive and inspired especially in the attack.
The Italian has scored 18 goals in the UEFA Champions League so far this season and are third in that forehead, only behind Barcelona (26) and Borussia Dortmund (19). In particular, they have only granted four goals in the competition compared to the 11 of Barcelona.
In series A, they have been equally ruthless, since they have found the background of the network 48 times in just 22 games and are only behind Inter Milan in that regard.
Given the vibrant style of Barcelona and inspired transitions and Atalanta link sequences, tomorrow’s clash will be a pleasure to follow and it can be a high score night. In particular, however, Atalanta will be without its star attacker Adelala Lookman.