In an attempt to hold on to every possible glimmer of hope for the away match against Bayern Munich, whose victory will send them to the quarter-finals, Barcelona must have been happy to hear the news coming from the German champions, who have already secured first place.
Beyond the fact that the game will take place without an audience due to the Corona's restrictions, Julian Nagelsaman announced last night that Leon Gorczka, Serge Gnabry, Yozo Kimish and Eric Maxim Chopo-Moting will not take part in the game, the first two due to rest matters and the other two due to Corona matters.
Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller will open at 11 p.m.
As for Xavi, less than a month has passed in the role and every game is more important than its predecessor.
Tonight, in Europe's first away game, any result other than a win (assuming Benfica beat Dynamo Kiev at home) will lead to Barcelona being relegated to the Champions League home stage for the first time since 2001 and relegated to the Europa League.
The draw against Benfica in the previous round complicated matters for the former player, and the home loss against Betis this weekend - his first as the team coach - was a painful reminder that there are many more issues that need to be resolved.
Barça may have improved some elements in their game, most notably the high-pressure game, but it still lacks offensive crush and suffers from defensive problems.
To these must be added the blow of injuries, the dependence on too many talented but inexperienced youngsters and the meager contribution of Memphis Depay to the champions.
In the absence of Anso Patti, Martin Brightwit and Con Aguero, the Dutchman should be the one to lead the Catalans' attack in Europe, but he has yet to find the net in the first five rounds.
Tonight Depai will have to rise, because without exiles the European season of Barcelona will migrate to another factory.
Memphis DePay.
Will he rise in the toughest game of all?
Photo: AFP,
Everything is possible in house 7
For the first time since the 2009/2010 season, an early home will reach the final round when all four teams can reach the quarterfinals.
It will happen in House 7, where Lille (8 points), Red Bull Salzburg (7), Sevilla (6) and Wolfsburg (5) have been dreaming of a place in the last 16, with the Austrians hosting the Spaniards and the Germans hosting the French.
In fact, this house is so close, that the only two scenarios that do not make sense are Negative will finish last and Wolfsburg will finish in third place.
Besides anything is possible, they can all finish in first place, and the task of all of them is the same: a win equals eighth final.
However, there are some possibilities of equal points, and in this case the internal balance will decide the closest house that has been in the Champions League for 12 years.
Tonight: Chelsea will host Zenit St Petersburg, and a victory will guarantee them first place.
In case the English do not get three points, Juventus will be able to climb above them if they beat Malmo at home.
In any case, the two have already secured their place in the quarterfinals.
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