AUTHOR: Star Sports Content

STAR PREVIEW: Barcelona v Man U

20 years ago tonight, Manchester United achieved what might be considered the greatest moment in their modern history, as they beat Bayern Munich at the Nou Camp to complete the treble. That was one of many famous European nights, and particular European comebacks, but asking them to do so once against Barcelona might be too much for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his team.

They have pulled the rabbit out of the hat once already with a spectacular comeback victory against PSG in the last 16, but doing the same to Barcelona is likely to prove a more arduous challenge. United made their own luck but they had a bucket load of it against a PSG side that should have won the second leg with the chances they created.

Last week Barcelona were accused by some of not being at their best in their 1-0 win at Old Trafford last week, but they managed a first away leg in six attempts without letting Manchester United have a single shot on target. United were clever in packing the midfield and sitting just behind the halfway line to force Barcelona to go wide – of the front three, only Lionel Messi had a single pass received in the box – but that will not always be an option tonight as they need an away goal at least to consider going through tonight.

United operate a very good press – indeed last week they did create chances for themselves in the middle of the game – but Barcelona eventually recovered with Ernesto Valverde bringing Sergi Roberto and Arturo Vidal back which allowed them to end the game strongly.

United are chasing a Top 4 place at home but were laboured against West Ham at the weekend, winning thanks to two Paul Pogba penalties, the first of which was a contentious one. West Ham should have been ahead early but for Felipe Anderson’s goal being ruled out for offside.

Whilst the tie remains 1-0, United will still pose a threat on the break, and Diogo Dalot and Paul Pogba did find Marcus Rashford on a number of occasions last week, but at some point United will have to go searching for that goal and it’s then that the likes of Ivan Rakitic and Arthur Melo can really get involved in the game and start feeding Luis Suarez, in particular, with better chances.

Barcelona come here rested after playing a B team against Huesca – Luis Suárez and Gerard Piqué were suspended, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitić didn’t go on the matchday, and Jordi Alba, Philippe Coutinho, Arthur, Clément Lenglet and Nélson Semedo were all on the bench – and are ready to rock and roll on their home turf.

Barcelona v Man Utd
UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 2nd Leg
20:00 BT Sport 2 / BT Sport 4K UHD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches, past 10 years)
APR 2019 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Manchester United 0-1 Barcelona
MAY 2011 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United
MAY 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
APR 2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Manchester United 1-0 Barcelona
APR 2008 CHAPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United
NOV 1998 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona 3-3 Manchester United
SEP 1998 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Manchester United 3-3 Barcelona

Barcelona are unbeaten in 30 Champions League games at the Camp Nou and have won 15/20 home games in both La Liga and the Champions League this season, with three of them coming by a margin of at least two goals or more. The exception was against Tottenham when they were already through, and they can prove too good once again.


RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-100 points)
10 pts win BARCELONA -1 at 21/20 with starsports.bet


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