United limped to only a second victory in their last six games at the weekend, with another European mountain to climb, this time in Barcelona – an iconic location for reds across the globe.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær was the hero in 1999, cementing his place in the competition’s history; while Ernesto Valverde is building his own legacy in Catalonia as a first semi-final is in sight.
Champions League miracles can happen at the Camp Nou but the odds are against it.
Kick-off: 20:00 [GMT]
Venue: Camp Nou
Referee: Felix Brych
UK television channel: BT Sport 2
Aggregate: 1-0
Story of the first leg
Old Trafford was treated to a fairly underwhelming affair last Wednesday, despite a true big European night atmosphere.
An early Luis Súarez strike to finish a 50-pass move – via a deflection off now suspended Luke Shaw – sealed the victory for Barça, although La Blaugrana were uncharacteristically sloppy from then on.
Lionel Messi took a bat from Chris Smalling half an hour in and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was particularly quiet despite creating the goal.
Scott McTominay shone with a dominant display, widely touted as man of the match to silence critics.
The Scottish international had a stunning statistical outing, once again proving his worth at the club as a humble yet confident academy product.
McTominay vs Barcelona:
100% defensive aerials won
100% tackles won
80% pass accuracy
5 ball recoveries
3 fouls in middle third
2/3 take-ons— utdreport (@utdreport) April 10, 2019
Fred partnered him and produced another big European performance to keep opposition midfield fulcrum Ivan Rakitić unable to fire.
Fred loves a big game #UCL performance. pic.twitter.com/XaI7uRcilF
— utdreport (@utdreport) April 10, 2019
La Blaugrana
La Liga position: 1st
Recent form: DWWDW
Top scorer: Lionel Messi [33]
Most assists: Lionel Messi [12]
One to watch: Ivan Rakitić
Previous result: SD Huesca 0-0 Barça
Talking points
Valverde opted for a starting XI in Huesca on Saturday, with an average age of 24 years and 133 days – the youngest in La Liga this term – as the often-criticised boss made 10 outfield changes.
German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was the only player to keep his place, and boasts four clean sheets from his last five outings. The Borussia Mönchengladbach academy will make his 50th Champions League appearance if he features.
In terms of team news, Phillipe Coutinho struggled at Old Trafford, so fit-again Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé may start on the left of an ever-deadly forward trident.
Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)
- Rafinha – cruciate ligament (next season)
Expected lineup
(4-4-2) ter Stegen; N. Semedo, Piqué, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitić, Busquets, Arthur, Dembélé Messi, Súarez
Quote from the boss
“What I fear most about United is their spirit, the history they have, what they have done, what they are, and what they are capable of on the field. They are dangerous.” – Ernesto Valverde
Next match: Real Sociedad [H] 20/4
The Red Devils
Talking points
A fortunate three points against West Ham got United somewhat back on track, with Solskjær describing the result as something his side “got away with.”
The Norwegian claimed the Red Devils couldn’t “be any worse” a sloppy performance resulted in three points.
Two precisely-placed Paul Pogba penalties past Lukasz Fabiański canceled out Felipe Anderson’s second half reply but the Brazilian came close when his goal was controversially ruled offside in the 10th minute.
Solskjær will return to Camp Nou for the first time since retiring as a player, and becoming a manager, with the memory of him stabbing home in the 93rd minute to quash Bayern Munich and lift the Champions League fresh in red memory cells – completing the iconic treble.
However, he felt aggrieved with UEFA for scheduling his team to play Wednesday-Tuesday while the other side of the draw plays Tuesday-Wednesday, telling BT Sport it was his “little complaint” to the governing body.
The boss was asked about his thoughts on the return in his press conference and said that he feels “many emotions! It’s the only time I’ve been on the pitch. I’ve been once with my son really high up in 2016 and I was here 10 days ago to watch Barcelona play. I don’t really look back on it too often.”
Nevertheless, he told the BBC in an MU Foundation interview last week: “I’ve watched [the goal] a million times.”
On Monday, Manchester and Barcelona-residing journalist Andy Mitten claimed Marcus Rashford is wanted by the Catalonian giants, with the Wythenshawe-born academy product being what Barça are looking for.
Sir Alex Ferguson was on the plane to El Prat airport, almost one year since his brain hemorrhage scare.
He was in Paris for that special night over a month ago and might just be a good luck charm.
10 years ago on Monday, Cristiano Ronaldo hit a rocket in Porto to help send United through to a semi-final, which they were eventually beaten by Barça in the Rome final under Ferguson’s guidance in 2009.
Team news
Alexis Sánchez traveled with the squad yesterday and could feature at his former stomping ground with a “point to prove” according to Solskjær.
The Chilean was also involved in a light training session at the stadium last night.
McTominay was rested at the weekend but is poised to return following his star showing in the first leg alongside in-form Fred to hopefully once again rattle Sergio Busquets and partner Arthur.
Due to another Shaw absence – although the England international traveled – Marcos Rojo may take his place in a back three to attempt to combat his compatriot Messi.
The once seemingly-forgotten defender was recently quoted as saying his relationship with his new boss as been “incredible” and that when the new manager arrived “he told me he was part of his plans.”
However, Phil Jones could well slot in there if recovered from his nasty head cut in time.
Nemanja Matić may feature after overcoming an illness, with Solskjær stating he is available along with Sánchez.
Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)
- Ander Herrera – muscle (two weeks)
- Antonio Valencia – calf (unknown)
Expected lineup
(3-5-2) De Gea; Smalling, Lindelöf, Rojo; Young, Pogba, McTominay, Fred, Dalot; Lukaku, Rashford
Quote from the boss
“The memories from Paris will help the players,” says Ole. “It shows we can turn things around. Of course Barcelona at the Nou Camp is a difficult prospect but we’re one goal better off [than we were against PSG].” – Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Next match: Everton [H] 21/4
Potential key battles
– Lionel Messi vs Marcos Rojo
– Ivan Rakitić vs Fred
– Gerard Piqué vs Marcus Rashford
Match facts [credit: FotMob]
- Of the 70 previous occasions, a side that has won a Champions League away first leg has progressed, just four have been eliminated (6%)
- Two of those instances have been in this season’s competition, including once by United
- Barça have progressed from 39 of their 41 European ties in which they won the away first leg – the exceptions were against FC Köln in the 1980-81 UEFA Cup, and Metz in the 1984-85 Cup Winners’ Cup.
- The Red Devils have progressed from one of their four previous European ties in which they lost the first leg at Old Trafford, though it was in the last round against Paris Saint-Germain
- La Blaugrana are unbeaten in 30 Champions League home games, the longest such run in the competition (W27 D3)
Enjoy the match!
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