Barcelona’s failure to remain consistent this month has prevented them from topping the UEFA Champions League’s Group H, but a perfect fixture against BATE could solve their problem.
It was actually their bitter 2-2 draw with Milan at the Camp Nou that took away from them two precious points at the very beginning of their Champions League campaign. Luckily for them, BATE and Viktoria Plzeň also shared a point on the first matchday, keeping them in a good position to rise in the table.
Perhaps, it would be right to look upon their intimidating victory in La Liga over the weekend as a preview of their subsequent battle in Europe. Nevertheless, the fact that they will be facing BATE Borisov away from home somehow reduces their chances of repeating the stunning show they put on against Atletico Madrid.
Previous to their Milan home match, Barca had disappointedly drawn away to Real Sociedad, and sadly for them, their unsatisfying score line got duplicated against the Italian giants. This time, the situation is entirely different, as the Catalans have made sure that they have absorbed as much confidence as possible – in preparation for their imminent Champions League challenge.
But then again, looking at the source of their great attainment on Saturday, one cannot miss the Argentinian playmaker Lionel Messi. Unquestionably, it was the contribution of each and every active member of the Barcelona squad that made such a huge result possible; yet, if one of these players deserved special credits, then it would be the hat-trick scorer Messi.
The reigning FIFA Ballon d’Or winner has the green light to perform again on Wednesday night, and this means nothing but a boost of quality for followers of the Spanish club. However, although Los Cules may have the needed set of players to cruise past the Belarusians, there is still a need for the Blaugrana to handle their current situation with great delicacy.
“If we are shocked now, then we will have to suffer right through to the end,” declared manager Pep Guardiola himself in his recent meeting with the press.
Indeed, there is no denying that Barcelona are the clear favourites in their match against BATE Borisov. One single mistake though - no matter where it originates from - would switch all the advantage to challengers AC Milan in Group H. Eventually playing for the second place in mind would thus affect the initial plan set in place, and with a bit of ‘luck’ missing, their run could go from unstable to terrible.
“We have to realise what we are playing for, because it will be a big step forward if we win,” Guardiola also stated during the pre-match press conference.
Ultimately, what Barcelona need the most is a high level of concentration. This will not only enable them to do things right, but also make them earn firmness to advance in the Champions League as a firm side.
Perhaps, it would be right to look upon their intimidating victory in La Liga over the weekend as a preview of their subsequent battle in Europe. Nevertheless, the fact that they will be facing BATE Borisov away from home somehow reduces their chances of repeating the stunning show they put on against Atletico Madrid.
Previous to their Milan home match, Barca had disappointedly drawn away to Real Sociedad, and sadly for them, their unsatisfying score line got duplicated against the Italian giants. This time, the situation is entirely different, as the Catalans have made sure that they have absorbed as much confidence as possible – in preparation for their imminent Champions League challenge.
But then again, looking at the source of their great attainment on Saturday, one cannot miss the Argentinian playmaker Lionel Messi. Unquestionably, it was the contribution of each and every active member of the Barcelona squad that made such a huge result possible; yet, if one of these players deserved special credits, then it would be the hat-trick scorer Messi.
The reigning FIFA Ballon d’Or winner has the green light to perform again on Wednesday night, and this means nothing but a boost of quality for followers of the Spanish club. However, although Los Cules may have the needed set of players to cruise past the Belarusians, there is still a need for the Blaugrana to handle their current situation with great delicacy.
“If we are shocked now, then we will have to suffer right through to the end,” declared manager Pep Guardiola himself in his recent meeting with the press.
Indeed, there is no denying that Barcelona are the clear favourites in their match against BATE Borisov. One single mistake though - no matter where it originates from - would switch all the advantage to challengers AC Milan in Group H. Eventually playing for the second place in mind would thus affect the initial plan set in place, and with a bit of ‘luck’ missing, their run could go from unstable to terrible.
“We have to realise what we are playing for, because it will be a big step forward if we win,” Guardiola also stated during the pre-match press conference.
Ultimately, what Barcelona need the most is a high level of concentration. This will not only enable them to do things right, but also make them earn firmness to advance in the Champions League as a firm side.
