Time for the Catalonians to dream and despite Liverpool’s woes; they still get to have a feel of the famous star ball.
It was very
much `The Mbappe show’ in the first leg when his chicanery could not be matched
by the giants in Catalonia while two costly in-game errors gave Liverpool a two-goal
advantage away from a supposed Leipzig home ground in Budapest.
`Nothing Is Impossible’ as a matter of fact for Ronald Koeman as he believes his charges can go out there and pull a surprise. He is being wise not to compare the comeback against Sevilla to a potential happening tonight but what a happy man he will be when Messi has hit a belter from 35 yards to make 4-0 in the 93rd minute of the game and qualification is sealed – the dream though.
Paris SG was
ruthless at the Camp Nou and was unfazed as Messi’s early spot kick went past
Navas. Mbappe grabbed the bull by the horns and had a dance of his own but
there is tonight to seal the deal. Pochettino has said he would expect his side
to respect Barcelona yet do the necessary to make it to the last 8.
Neymar
would have wished to participate in this one but he together with Bernat and
Kean will be absent. Koeman has never had his full squad all season and has
Gerard Pique, Phillipe Coutinho, Ansu Fati and Sergi Roberto in the treatment room.
The game
plan would be simple for Koeman; go out there and get the goals and not concede.
It becomes easier as well for Poch but defending will need the likes of
Kimpembe and Marquinhos to stay alert all game to the runs of Griezmann, Messi
and Dembele. Mbappe run riot the last time and the back line of Barcelona must
look to curtail his progress. He scores tonight, he becomes the youngest player
in UEFA Champions League to reach 25 goals, aged 22 years and 80 days.
A downturn
in Klopp’s fortunes has been predicted mostly based on happenings in his final
years at Borussia Dortmund and Mainz. It has left many wondering if this is it
for him. A much younger coach in Julian Nagelsmann has pulled up to great strides
in his coaching career and his job at RB Leipzig has been superb. He lost the
first tie but can rear on to give this Leipzig team the required boost to knock
Liverpool out. Sabitzer returns from injury and could move straight into midfield;
Nagelsmann could set up a three-man defensive wall. Angelino is out until after
the international break and Alexandre Sorloth has been a massive utility player
for RB Leipzig mainly operating from either flank or is very much an aerial
threat.
Liverpool
can only catch some respite when they have a feel of the famous star ball on
these European nights. They look worn out domestically. Matthew Howarth – a Liverpool
reporter does not think the Reds have entirely lost their appetite rather he
sees how difficult it is to sustain success in a domain as dementedly competitive
as the premier league – a stare from the blue side of Manchester.
Salah and
Mane got the goals in the first leg. Bobby Firmino may sit this one out, but
Jota can slot in to give the forward line the considered impetus. Gini Wijnaldum
believes winning the UCL can rescue their season. Is it the end of the road for
Leipzig or can Klopp make Gini's statement stay in accord?
All Games
20:00 GMT
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