The Champions league match against Vfl Borussia Mönchengladbach on Tuesday has little or nothing to offer but it is a golden opportunity to get back to winning ways and rotate the troops.
The 1-1 draw to Real Madrid was an appalling performance from start to finish and one that ensured neither the players nor Luis Enrique could leave Camp nou with their heads held high.
A quick response is needed on Tuesday, as Barca switch their attention to final champions league group stage action.
The Catalans are badly in need of securing a victory in order to bring winning mentality back to the team and the final Champions League group game against Vfl Borussia Mönchengladbach at Nou Camp represents one of their best chances with their place in the round of 16 already guaranteed.
WHO IS IN AND WHO IS OUT
Neymar Jr and Ivan Rakitic picked up third yellow card of the Champions League campaign against Celtic on Matchday 5 and are therefore suspended for Tuesday’s game while Jérémy Mathieu is sidelined with a calf injury. While Luis Enrique , confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Leo Messi would start, he has decided to rest Ter Stegen and Gerard Piqué. The one surprise in the squad is Barça B's Marc Cardona, who debuted with the first team against Hércules recently and could make his first European appearance if he gets on the pitch.
Therefore, the final squad for tonight's game includes these players: Cillessen, Masip, Sergio, Denis, Arda, A.Iniesta, Suárez, Messi, Rafinha, Mascherano, Paco Alcácer, Jordi Alba, Digne, Sergi Roberto, André Gomes, Aleix Vidal, Umtiti and Cardona (29).
The German side also have their fate sealed, with third placed and thus passage to the Europa League confirme and it’s a good job too, as they have a number of players injured. Patrick Hermann, Álvaro Domínguez and Mamadou Doucuré are all out while Marvin Schulz and Ibrahima Traoré are
doubtful. Last Stindl will sit the game out due to suspension.
doubtful. Last Stindl will sit the game out due to suspension.
LUIS ENRIQUE’S VIEW
“This one’s to have fun with the fans,” said Luis Enrique at his Monday press conference. “We can use different players, rest others, and even try some different things on the field.” "We have been almost perfect in the group stage and so tomorrow we will go out there to enjoy it at Camp Nou,”
ANDRE SCHUBERT'S VIEW
“I would be lying if I said it would be a normal game for me too," but went on to say that “it is Borussia's first game at Camp Nou, and I am proud to be there, and I'm really looking forward to the game - the situation in the Bundesliga is unimportant.”
Recent Form
Barça have suffered an uncharacteristic laps in recent weeks, with just one win in their last five games across all competitions, which came in their previous Champions League game against Celtic (0-2). But Barça’s blip looks pale in comparison to Borussia’s recent form, as they have not won a game since 25 October. They arrive at the Camp Nou on the back of a 4-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
BEST OPTA KEY STATS
- The match between the two sides at Borussia-Park in late September was the first ever time the pair had met. Thorgan Hazard put the hosts ahead but goals from Arda Turan and Gerard Piqué in the second half gave Barça an important win.
- Borussia’s record against Spanish sides is bleak, with just one win in ten games while Barça’s victory over Tuesday’s opponents was their first against a German team in five.
- Barcelona have won 12 of their last 13 home games in the Champions League against German clubs. The only exception came in May 2013 against Bayern Munich (0-3). Borussia Mönchengladbach have won only one of their seven away games against Spanish opposition, in all competitions (D2 L4), it was in the 1974/75 UEFA Cup when the Germansbeat Real Zaragoza 4-2.
- Barcelona are certain of finishing top of their Champions League group for the 10th consecutive season, the longest such run in the competition.
- Meanwhile, Borussia Mönchengladbach are guaranteed of third place and a Europa League spot. Barcelona have won their last 13 Champions League games at the Camp Nou (40 goals scored, 6 conceded), all since Luis Enrique took charge. Only Bayern Munich are on a longer winning run at home in the history of the competition (14, current streak).
- Rubin Kazan are the last team to beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou in the Champions League group stages, it was in October 2009 (2-1).
- No team has scored more than one goal against Barcelona in the last 18 Champions League games at the Camp Nou. Bayern Munich are the last team to do so, back in May 2013 (0-3).Barcelona last lost their final Champions League group game in the 2008/09 campaign (2-3 v Shakhtar Donetsk). They still went on to claim the trophy later that season.
- Borussia Mönchengladbach have won only one of their five away games in the Champions League (D1 L3), it was on their last trip against Celtic in October (2-0).
- Lionel Messi has scored 50 goals in 50 Champions League games at the Camp Nou, including two hat-tricks this season. He has scored nine goals in four games in this season's Champions League, already more than he achieved in the whole of last season (6).
- Neymar's seven assists in this season's Champions League is a record in a group stage since Opta records began in 2003/04.
All statistics courtesy of OPTAJOE, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.
Nobody should be fooled into thinking that because Barcelona have won this group that there will be any less demand on them to win this match. Not only does the UEFA Champions League anthem bring out the best from this group of players, but the Spanish champions have drawn four consecutive matches domestically. Hardly a crisis but not what's expected of them. So long as he's not feeling any negative impact after his return against Real Madrid following five weeks out injured, Andrés Iniesta should get a good chunk of playing time here. Paco Alcácer should replace the suspended Neymar and how he'd love to score his debut goal for Barcelona nearly six months after signing for them.
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