Match Previews

country flag Uefa Champions League Round Grp G (6)
Tue 08 December 2020 20:00
Referee
Tobias Stieler (Germany)
Weather at KO
weather icon Clear  9oC | Precip: 0% (0 mm) | Wind 4.9 m/s
Travel Info
2 hours plane, 1 hour coach
Distance
831 KM
Venue
No Fans

FC Barcelona

Last updated: Wed 09 December 2020 09:49
In Brief

Just lost again in LaLiga. Have been poor domestically, but strong in Europe. May rest some players, but not clear who. Missing the injured Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Samuel Umtiti, Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati.

Looking Back

Have more Champions League points (15 from 5 matches) than LaLiga points (14 from 10 matches). That sums up the difference between their domestic and continental form.

Have rested players in Europe the last couple of matchdays. May do so again, although first place in the group is at stake.

Looking Ahead

Starting centre-back Gerard Pique is out injured and backup centre-back Samuel Umtiti is out injured. Can be replaced by the young Ronald Araujo.

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

Starting left winger Ansu Fati is out injured and backup Ousmane Dembele is out injured. Can be replaced by Pedri or Trincao for a natural replacement or by Martin Braithwaite as part of a system change.

Points of Interest

There's no real advantage for either side in terms of rest time since they both had their most recent game on Saturday.

Manager Comments

Coach Ronald Koeman has said Barcelona want to ensure first place in the group. For that reason, he may not field a completely weakened line-up.

Juventus

Last updated: Wed 09 December 2020 09:49
In Brief

2-1 comeback win in the home derby against Torino. Travel to Barcelona without Chiellini, Khedira and Demiral. Buffon returns.

Looking Back

Failed to play decently against Torino during the first half, going one goal down and risking to succumb. Things changed radically after the break as they attacked vehemently and overturned the match.

Cuadrado had 1 goal disallowed and served 2 assists. McKennie brought new life after the break and scored. Kulusevski left no mark on the match. Dybala was useless in the first half and slightly improved in the second one.

Looking Ahead

Undefeated in the last 8 (W6 D2). Kept only 2 clean sheets in the last 10. Scored at least 2 in 10 out of 15. Will be travelling to Barcelona, having won 3 and drawn 4 on the road, with 15 goals scored and 7 conceded overall.

Already achieved qualification to the next stage of the competition. A 3-0 win over Barcelona would give them leadership in the Group G.

Demiral and Chiellini are out. Buffon is back with the squad.

Khedira is ineligible.

Morata will be back from a domestic ban.

Cuadrado and Bentancur are one yellow card away from suspension.

Buffon is favourite for a start in goals. Danilo could be preferred to De Ligt in the heart of the defence, as the latter has played all the games so far since recovering. Chiesa could prevail over Bernardeschi on the left.

Points of Interest

Juventus travelled to Barcelona 6 times: they won 2 and drew 1, losing 3 times. Overall, they scored 5 goals and conceded 9.

Manager Comments

In the first half we didn't win a duel, we lost all the individual ones. In the second half we were more aggressive, we managed to win the duels and keep Torino in their own half. The attitude was different, Juventus' DNA came out like in many other matches.

It didn't work in the first half because we didn't fill the area well. In the second half with McKennie and Ramsey we were always 3 or 4 players to bother. The performances were mixed, it was a difficult match for both Paulo and Dejan. Paulo had to act as striker, he moved well even if he is not used to it. When you play with this desire, however, team results are important and not individual performances.

Gigi is better, he has recovered from the injury. He could be in the race tomorrow because he deserves such an important stage and he could play. I don't believe in the Barcelona crisis, he has a new manager who is putting together his ideas. We know it's a great team.

I am very satisfied with Adrien Rabiot. He's having a good season, I didn't know him so much. Knowing him, however, I realized that he is different from how they described him to me. He is a hard worker, you have to put in mind that he is at 70% of his potential and can pull off more. He can become a great midfielder in the world.

How is it possible that Ronaldo is shooting less on goal than in his career but scoring more goals? "It means that he is in the right position at the right time and we bring him the ball when he has to score. So this can be a good thing for us."

Doubtful (chance of availability)
  • ---
Rested
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Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability) Rested
  • ---

Juventus

Last updated: Wed 09 December 2020 09:49
In Brief

2-1 comeback win in the home derby against Torino. Travel to Barcelona without Chiellini, Khedira and Demiral. Buffon returns.

Looking Back

Failed to play decently against Torino during the first half, going one goal down and risking to succumb. Things changed radically after the break as they attacked vehemently and overturned the match.

Cuadrado had 1 goal disallowed and served 2 assists. McKennie brought new life after the break and scored. Kulusevski left no mark on the match. Dybala was useless in the first half and slightly improved in the second one.

Looking Ahead

Undefeated in the last 8 (W6 D2). Kept only 2 clean sheets in the last 10. Scored at least 2 in 10 out of 15. Will be travelling to Barcelona, having won 3 and drawn 4 on the road, with 15 goals scored and 7 conceded overall.

Already achieved qualification to the next stage of the competition. A 3-0 win over Barcelona would give them leadership in the Group G.

Demiral and Chiellini are out. Buffon is back with the squad.

Khedira is ineligible.

Morata will be back from a domestic ban.

Cuadrado and Bentancur are one yellow card away from suspension.

Buffon is favourite for a start in goals. Danilo could be preferred to De Ligt in the heart of the defence, as the latter has played all the games so far since recovering. Chiesa could prevail over Bernardeschi on the left.

Points of Interest

Juventus travelled to Barcelona 6 times: they won 2 and drew 1, losing 3 times. Overall, they scored 5 goals and conceded 9.

Manager Comments

In the first half we didn't win a duel, we lost all the individual ones. In the second half we were more aggressive, we managed to win the duels and keep Torino in their own half. The attitude was different, Juventus' DNA came out like in many other matches.

It didn't work in the first half because we didn't fill the area well. In the second half with McKennie and Ramsey we were always 3 or 4 players to bother. The performances were mixed, it was a difficult match for both Paulo and Dejan. Paulo had to act as striker, he moved well even if he is not used to it. When you play with this desire, however, team results are important and not individual performances.

Gigi is better, he has recovered from the injury. He could be in the race tomorrow because he deserves such an important stage and he could play. I don't believe in the Barcelona crisis, he has a new manager who is putting together his ideas. We know it's a great team.

I am very satisfied with Adrien Rabiot. He's having a good season, I didn't know him so much. Knowing him, however, I realized that he is different from how they described him to me. He is a hard worker, you have to put in mind that he is at 70% of his potential and can pull off more. He can become a great midfielder in the world.

How is it possible that Ronaldo is shooting less on goal than in his career but scoring more goals? "It means that he is in the right position at the right time and we bring him the ball when he has to score. So this can be a good thing for us."

Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
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