“Failure is not a word I like at all. Disappointment, yes, but failure is not a good word.” This is what Xavi said after Barcelona lost 2-0 to Milan in their UEFA Champions League Last 16 first leg match.
On Tuesday, the Catalans will have 90 minutes, and maybe 30 more, to turn their fortunes around. The tie is still at half-time so the players are ‘disappointed’ to have lost the first period. The word ‘failure’ will only be applicable to Barcelona if they crash out. Barcelona fans around the world are praying for a miracle to happen as Tuesday’s clash in Europe appears as the club’s most important fixture of the year 2013 so far.
However, they have never been able to rise from an awkward position to reach the sky. The memories of crashing out from the UEFA Champions League against Inter in 2010 (after losing the first leg 3-1) and Chelsea in 2012 (after losing the first leg 1-0) are still fresh.
At this same stage, in the Last 16 of the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League which they went on to win, Barcelona did find themselves 2-1 down against Arsenal before recording a controversial 3-1 victory at home to reach the quarter-finals.
However, losing 2-1 and 2-0 is of huge difference considering the away goals rule in the UEFA Champions League. Besides, a 3-1 result against Milan on March 12 would put Barca out. After failing at the San Siro, the Blaugrana must now call on inspiration from the crowd and in-depth self-belief to write a new chapter in their history book: a heroic call, a comeback crowning.
“This has always been a great club, but we have never crowned ourselves with such a historic comeback. Maybe now is the time to do just that,” Brazilian defender Dani Alves told MARCA ahead of the UEFA Champions League Last 16 battle against Milan on Tuesday.
Too many times, Barcelona have succeeded in hitting some of Europe’s best ranked teams with four, five and even six goals in one match. Like Lionel Messi said during the unveiling of his $5.25M golden foot in Japan last week, “why can’t Barcelona score three when Milan scored two in Italy?”
One answer that would make sense is ‘tactics’. If the Rossoneri play an ultra-defensive game, it will be extremely difficult for the Catalans to pierce the goal line on Tuesday night. Are we in for a historic comeback from this current generation of FC Barcelona?
“I'm optimistic. We'll have possession; the pitch will be good; we won't need two or three touches,” Xavi told the press right in the aftermath of Barcelona’s first leg defeat in Italy.
“We'll open up the pitch, pass the ball around and shoot from outside the area. We'll have chances and we need to be alert on the counterattacks. They come out like a shot.”
Failure is knocking on Barcelona’s door in the UEFA Champions League. Can the players protect their Camp Nou fortress? One thing, for sure, is that there is no better time than tonight for this great Barcelona side to earn the title of ‘comeback kings’.
However, they have never been able to rise from an awkward position to reach the sky. The memories of crashing out from the UEFA Champions League against Inter in 2010 (after losing the first leg 3-1) and Chelsea in 2012 (after losing the first leg 1-0) are still fresh.
At this same stage, in the Last 16 of the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League which they went on to win, Barcelona did find themselves 2-1 down against Arsenal before recording a controversial 3-1 victory at home to reach the quarter-finals.
However, losing 2-1 and 2-0 is of huge difference considering the away goals rule in the UEFA Champions League. Besides, a 3-1 result against Milan on March 12 would put Barca out. After failing at the San Siro, the Blaugrana must now call on inspiration from the crowd and in-depth self-belief to write a new chapter in their history book: a heroic call, a comeback crowning.
“This has always been a great club, but we have never crowned ourselves with such a historic comeback. Maybe now is the time to do just that,” Brazilian defender Dani Alves told MARCA ahead of the UEFA Champions League Last 16 battle against Milan on Tuesday.
Too many times, Barcelona have succeeded in hitting some of Europe’s best ranked teams with four, five and even six goals in one match. Like Lionel Messi said during the unveiling of his $5.25M golden foot in Japan last week, “why can’t Barcelona score three when Milan scored two in Italy?”
One answer that would make sense is ‘tactics’. If the Rossoneri play an ultra-defensive game, it will be extremely difficult for the Catalans to pierce the goal line on Tuesday night. Are we in for a historic comeback from this current generation of FC Barcelona?
“I'm optimistic. We'll have possession; the pitch will be good; we won't need two or three touches,” Xavi told the press right in the aftermath of Barcelona’s first leg defeat in Italy.
“We'll open up the pitch, pass the ball around and shoot from outside the area. We'll have chances and we need to be alert on the counterattacks. They come out like a shot.”
Failure is knocking on Barcelona’s door in the UEFA Champions League. Can the players protect their Camp Nou fortress? One thing, for sure, is that there is no better time than tonight for this great Barcelona side to earn the title of ‘comeback kings’.
