Messi and Cristiano, a pulse from other times

The worst Barça league of the last three decades, with only 14 points achieved out of 30 possible, May this Tuesday be the best Barça of the 21st century in the Champions League if he achieves the full 18 points in the six rounds of the group stage, something he only achieved in the 2002-03 season league with Louis van Gaal on the bench. To do this, he will have to beat Juventus at the Camp Nou as he already did at the Allianz Stadium (0-2) in one of the best matches in this Ronald Koeman’s irregular stage as coach.

But more important than that record is secure first place in group G to have the field factor in favor in the round of 16 and, in theory, face a less powerful opponent as they are second in the group. The Barça team is worth a draw and even a 0-1 and 0-2 defeat, the result of Turin, because the ‘goal average’ of Barça is better. Losing by three goals difference, or by 1-3, for example, with more Italian goals out, would condemn him to second place and would be another stick in the current bitter moment, after the painful league KO in Cádiz (2-1) .

It is not unreasonable to think of another culé mess not only for the alarming lack of competitive reliability of Leo Messi and companyBut because Juventus has a powerful attack with Álvaro Morata, in great shape, and Cristiano Ronaldo, a goal guarantee. The Argentine and the Portuguese, dominators of the individual trophies of world football in recent years, they will meet again more than two years after the last time they saw each other in a Barça-Madrid, in May 2018. It is a pulse with a taste of the past, with other soccer players from the world of the ball making more merits to be awarded the most prestigious prizes. Cristiano, more physical, still has the shot and power, already playing striker at 35, moving little far from the area. Messi, who is more technical, is finding it more difficult to find himself comfortable away from goal at 33 years old.

Opportunity for Pjanic

Koeman will not be able to count on the injured Dembélé, Ansu Fati, Piqué and Sergi Roberto, but I could get Umtiti backWho knows if he already has a chance to prove himself in a level match. Araujo, with the discharge since Friday, is another center-back with options to start for Mingueza. The return of Pedri to the title is taken for granted, possibly by Braithwaite so that Griezmann returns to play as a striker. And in the middle, Pjanic, a starter in the entire Champions League, would repeat before his former team, perhaps with De Jong at his side.

The Bosnian, by the way, complained this Monday about his lack of minutes since he arrived at Barça. «I’m not satisfied and I can’t be. In my career, I have never accepted the idea of ​​not playing and I do not accept it today either. We’ll see, I’m ready, I train well and I hope, I can’t do anything else. It is a delicate situation that does not suit me, “he said in an interview with ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. “I honestly do not understand why this situation. It is clear that I want to play more. I know I can give a lot and when the coach has called me, I have always been there, I have been good, “the Balkan added.

Andrea Pirlo, meanwhile, has the Losses due to injury to central Chiellini and Demiral, in addition to midfielder Khedira, who is not registered due to a long-term physical problem. Dybala, in poor shape, could stay on the bench, with former Barcelona player Arthur at the start.

Juventus, although they have only lost this season in an official match against Barça, it is not to shoot rockets either, accusing the arrival of a rookie coach, with a great history as a recent player, but with ideas that have not yet been assimilated by the group. In Serie A they have conceded five draws in ten days and are six points behind Milan in the standings. But it does convey more unity and enthusiasm than Barça, as seen in Saturday’s comeback in the derby against Torino.