By second in shape consecutive season, the FC Barcelona fell in the phase of groups of the League of Champions, seeing relegado to contest the UEFA Europe League from the playoffs, instance that measures to the eight third in the liguillas of the tournament of continental elite in front of the seconds of the first round of the Europe League. Although this competition is not the main aim culé, the ones of Xavi Hernández want to advance.
For this will be precise to keep the defensive solidity that have showed in the domestic tournaments. The last line in the field, conformed by Jules Koundé, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araújo and Alejandro Balde has armoured this zone of the field frustrating the rushed forward rival. But no all remains in the defenders: Marc-André Ter Stegen also has turned into the saviour of the team under the three sticks.
Of the same way in that this effectiveness has been key to keep the leadership of the classification liguera with a wide advantage on the Real Madrid, the culés expect to carry this good moment to the continental tournament, with a hard proof at the front. The Manchester United of Erik Have Hag has showed substantial improvements in his last parties and already is third in the Premier League product of valuable victories.
The main offensive referent of the mancunianos is Marcus Rashford, the one who has turned into the big protagonist in the attack of the team after the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo by means of contractual rescission by part of the English team. Definitely, the presence of the international with the 'Three Lions' in the field will suppose a hard challenge for the couple of head offices that have Xavi Hernández in the Spotify Camp Nou.
The defensive numbers of the Barça
The local tournament has showed the best facet of the Barcelona saga. In the 21 parties contested, only have fit seven goals, whereas the goal has not been vulnerada in 16 presentations ligueras. But the reality to continental level has been very distinct. In hardly six parties of the phase of groups, the culés have received more goals that in all what goes of League. In total, fit 12 goals in the competition of elite (five by part of the Bayern, four of the Inter and three of Viktoria Plzen).