Group Stages 2nd Fixture (Spain)
As we head into the second match date in the Champions league, two huge teams will be looking to get out of their current rut. The Champions league stage has been known to bring out the best in struggling teams. However, both Real Madrid, and FCBarcelona will have to face tough opposition away from home in this coming fixture.
Bad luck in “La Casa Blanca”
Real has been struggling to find good form since the beginning of the season. Offensively they are facing big problems, as the strive to compensate for the loss of Ronaldo’s fire power. Manager Lopetegui is struggling to make this team work, and add the fact that main offensive players like Gareth Bale, and Isco are injured and may be out for a few months; things do not look good for Real. For the upcoming match in against CSKA Moscow, Real will have to substitute players all over the field. Their starting defensive right side is out on injury, including captain Sergio Ramos, and regular Marcelo. Dani Ceballos who has been struggling to find first team minutes, will have a huge test in Russia. In offense, losing Bale who was one of the few players that seemed to be at top form in this last weekend’s 3-0 away loss against Sevilla, is an even bigger hit to “Los Blanco’s” chances in this match. However, the talent is there, but whether or not they make it work would have to wait until game day. Hopefully new signings and young prospects, Mariano and Vinicius Jr will be able to fill in Madrid’s offensive struggles. These young players, have to see it as a chance to make a name for themselves on the team, on the pitch, and on the biggest stage in European Football.
The Return of the Messi “Dependencia”
No matter how good your starting line up is, the difference between having Messi on or off the pitch is impossible to go unnoticed. Whether you are watching a Barcelona match for the first time, or for the hundredth; “La Pulga’s” effect on the game cannot be missed. However, Barcelona’s dependence on this player is a double edged sword. As he has grown older, Messi cannot sustain the same amount of matches he used to when he was in his early and mid 20’s. There are moments in the season when he must be benched, or left out of the match in order to save his energies for the important part of the season. However, in his time at Barcelona, the team has tended to under perform in his absence, something that presents a big problem as he grows older. “Los Cules” have had a hard time finding a way to play at top level without their main superstar on the pitch. As they fly to London to face Spurs in their second match in the Champions league, a big question mark is hanging over their heads. What will they do if Messi is injured? Whether he gets hurt or not is unpredictable, and depending only on him to lead the way is a huge risk. In the last couple of matches, Barcelona players have struggled to create clear chances without the involvement of Messi. Other big names on the pitch like Luis Suarez, are being pressured by the media to step up their game. Suarez hasn’t scored away from home in the Champions League since 2015. Hopefully a win at Wembley Stadium against Spurs, will get them back on the right path.
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