Previa del FC Barcelona vs Oporto de Champions League

BARÇA, WITH MANY OBLIGATIONS AGAINST PORTO

Now or never for Barça in the Champions League

Published:27/11/2023 - 20:06h

Updated:27/11/2023 - 20:07h

It's not a final, but it feels like one. FC Barcelona receives Porto on the penultimate day of the group stage of the Champions League with a clear message: We must win no matter what, scare away the ghosts and achieve qualification for the round of 16.

The FC Barcelona takes action, without hardly rest, in the Champions League. The classification to the eighth of final is still in game and is moment to give a hit on the table after two consecutive seasons falling in phase of groups. The Port wine visits the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compannys in a party with 'aroma' of final, but that corresponds to the penultimate day of the liguilla. Everything is at stake.

The balloon will begin to film in Montjuïc from the 21:00 hours (9:00 PM CET), but the tension feels from this time on. The ones of Xavi Hernández are conscious that have a lot at stake and that fail, by enésima time, is not allowed. They arrive in a context complicated, because the tie in front of the Ray Vallecano -further of the referee's controversies- left an image very agridulce of the team. Still no 'they work' the mechanisms so that the Barcelona are comfortable on the field.

In Vallecas the team was of less to more, but when they reacted already was very late. The presentation of the team, in spite of the return of the 'couple' of Frenkie of Jong and Pedri González, was not very positive. The trainer culé explained that the team has the need to change of mentality to be able to step forward, especially in the Champions League, but the problem goes further. They are varied the factors that he and his technical body have to correct.

The Port wine will not leave the easy task

They will have to do it, yes or yes, in front of a Port wine that wants to impose in Montjuïc and that has resources to complete it. The picture portgués already complicated the life to the Barça in Do Dragao and 'sinned' by bad fortune, but with the tightened that is the classification, do not want to leave happen the opportunity. It comes to impose easily against the Montalegre in the fourth round of the Taça of Portugal (4-0) and, before the stop of selections, had left performances very solvent.

For the party, the Barça will not have Gavi, lesionado to the end of season by a complete break of the ligament crossed previous of the right knee and an injury associated to the external meniscus that needs surgical intervention. It is a sensitive drop, whereas the participation of Marc-André ter Stegen will keep in the air until last hour. The guardameta suffered a lumbalgia and keeps in full process of rehabilitation.

The Barça, conscious of the requirement

The culés are very conscious of the challenge that have by in front. Xavi has recognised in press conference that "there is understanding. Lately, they do not go out the things as we want to. But the party of Vallecas is to win it. We generate game and in the second part are more aggressive. It is missing us continuity in the game. But the people is to taste with the plan. The changing room is joined", adding that "this is the Barça. We play us a lot of. It is the of always. Each party is important. It is necessary to compete of the best possible way. We play us a lot, clear. It is a vital party morning".