Match Previews

country flag Champions League Round Grp G (4)
Tue 24 November 2020 20:00
Referee
Matej Jug (SVN)
Weather at KO
weather icon Overcast  5oC | Precip: 0% (0 mm) | Wind 4.7 m/s
Travel Info
5 hours plane
Distance
2,400 KM
Venue
No Fans

Dynamo Kyiv

Last updated: Wed 25 November 2020 10:08
In Brief

Anything but win now and chances for top 2 finish will be over. Going strong domestically. Burda sidelined. Sydorchuk and Tsygankov amongst 10 players with COVID that look set to miss. Besedin suspended.

Looking Back

Despite having severely crippled squad for trip to Barcelona (9 players out with COVID + 6 other absentees) Dynamo put up good fight and lost only 1:2. Still with just 1 point halfway through group Dynamo know that anything but 2 wins from remaining 3 matches won’t be enough to see them qualify for next stage.

On domestic stage Dynamo much more convincing (W7 D2 L1), this despite regularly rotating and using many fringe players in Ukrainian league.

Looking Ahead

Coach Lucescu still has 10 players with COVID, this as of last Friday, and it seems none of them will be back. Sydorchuk and Tsygankov amongst those that returned negative tests on Sunday, but according to the manager they won't be ready and he's saying he has just 13 senior players available for this game!

On top of that Besedin serves doping ban and Burda is long-term absentee.

Manager Comments

"As for Sidorchuk and Tsygankov, only yesterday [Sunday] they passed negative tests and, at best, if everything goes well, Viktor will be ready for Saturday's game in the championship."

"We have in the main group the same 13 players who played with Ingulets [on Saturday]. No one was added, but fortunately no one dropped out."

FC Barcelona

Last updated: Wed 25 November 2020 10:08
In Brief

Have had inconsistent form so far this season. Major problems at centre-back since Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti are injured. Also missing the injured Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets and Ansu Fati. Resting Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi.

Looking Back

Barcelona just lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid, a match where the passive performance was perhaps more worrying than the result.

They've been perfect in the Champions League so far, with nine points from nine.

Looking Ahead

Major problems at centre-back for Barcelona. Starter Gerard Pique is out injured and backups Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti are out injured. That leaves Clement Lenglet as the only fit and available centre-back definitely available. Could have to be paired by youth teamer Oscar Mingueza.

Starting right-back Sergi Roberto is out injured. Can be replaced by summer signing Sergino Dest.

Starting right winger Lionel Messi has been rested and hasn't traveled. He is irreplaceable, of course. Starting left winger Ansu Fati is out injured too. So Pedri and Ousmane Dembele can come in.

Starting central midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been rested and hasn't traveled and fellow starting central midfielder Sergio Busquets is out injured. Can be replaced by Miralem Pjanic and Carles Alena.

Points of Interest

There's no real advantage for either side in terms of rest time, as they both played their most recent match on Saturday.

Manager Comments

Ronald Koeman explained his decision to rest Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi, saying they have both played a lot of minutes and need a break.

Doubtful (chance of availability)
  • ---
Rested

FC Barcelona

Last updated: Wed 25 November 2020 10:08
In Brief

Have had inconsistent form so far this season. Major problems at centre-back since Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti are injured. Also missing the injured Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets and Ansu Fati. Resting Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi.

Looking Back

Barcelona just lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid, a match where the passive performance was perhaps more worrying than the result.

They've been perfect in the Champions League so far, with nine points from nine.

Looking Ahead

Major problems at centre-back for Barcelona. Starter Gerard Pique is out injured and backups Ronald Araujo and Samuel Umtiti are out injured. That leaves Clement Lenglet as the only fit and available centre-back definitely available. Could have to be paired by youth teamer Oscar Mingueza.

Starting right-back Sergi Roberto is out injured. Can be replaced by summer signing Sergino Dest.

Starting right winger Lionel Messi has been rested and hasn't traveled. He is irreplaceable, of course. Starting left winger Ansu Fati is out injured too. So Pedri and Ousmane Dembele can come in.

Starting central midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been rested and hasn't traveled and fellow starting central midfielder Sergio Busquets is out injured. Can be replaced by Miralem Pjanic and Carles Alena.

Points of Interest

There's no real advantage for either side in terms of rest time, as they both played their most recent match on Saturday.

Manager Comments

Ronald Koeman explained his decision to rest Frenkie de Jong and Lionel Messi, saying they have both played a lot of minutes and need a break.

Doubtful (chance of availability)
  • ---
Rested

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players