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Champions League preview: Barcelona hoping for miracle against Juventus

An epic game at the Nou Camp awaits, but which way will it swing?

Champions League preview: Barcelona hoping for miracle against Juventus

Barcelona are eyeing yet another heady comeback when they welcome Juventus at the Camp Nou for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday.

While they overturned a 4-0 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the last round, the gritty Italians that Barca face on Wednesday are made of different stuff. So while Barcelona will in all probability win, it is likely that they will be exiting the continental competition early for the second year in a row.

Barcelona 

Without Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic were made to look silly by Juve in the middle of the park. However, with the defensive midfielder back from suspension, the Catalans cannot have any excuses anymore.

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Manager Luis Enrique got his tactics in the first leg wrong when he started the Lumbering Jeremy Mathieu at left back and with Jordi Alba fully fit, the Spaniard should replace the Frenchman in the starting line-up.The fleet-footed full-back could be key as when he is on song, his crosses can be deadly and against a well-set Juve defence, the hosts will need all the help they can get

Barcelona are expected to blaze out of the blocks on at the Nou Camp and will look to score a a goal or two in the opening exchanges. That cavalier-ish approach could just play into Juve’s hands, as they are a side that will lap up any chance they get.

Nobody is contesting that La Blaugrana have the quality, but players such as Neymar and Luis Suarez need to up their desired notches as Messi cannot be expected to bail them out every time.

While Juventus deserved their win, there is no denying that for the first and the third goals, Barcelona had forgotten to defend and a repeat of that would be fatal as they cannot afford to let in an away goal.

What they are saying: “We are going to take as many risks as we need to the point that we could go out with eight strikers, as we have nothing to lose,” Barcelona manager Luis Enrique (as per AFP).

Injury doubts: Aleix Vidal (Ankle), Rafinha (Knee), Javier Mascherano (Calf)

Suspension Alert: None

Juventus

What the Old Lady did in Turin was nothing short of remarkable, but the job is still half done and against a side like Barcelona, it isn’t over till its over.

So the Bianconeri will have to brace themselves for a Barcelona storm from kick off and keep their cool as chances will be few, but they will come.

Their old guard did well in the first leg but Massimiliano Allegri will have to coax another steely performance from Gianlugi Buffon and co. 

With Busquets back in the mix for Barcelona, Juve are in for a tough time and the likes of Sami Khedira and Mirajlem Pjanci have a mighty battle on their hands. 

First-leg hero Paulo Dybala may find the ball less but whenever he does, he will have to be as clinical as he usually is and between Gonzalo Higuain and him, the Bianconeri have enough firepower to steal a vital away goal. 

What they are saying: “Barcelona are going to attack us and the first half-hour will be important. We must set out to score two goals.” Juventus manager Massimiliano Alegri (as per www.juventus.com).

Injury doubts: Marko Pjaca

Suspension Alert: None

Super Stat: In 2012/13, Barcelona came from 2-0 down in the first leg against AC Milan to win 4-0 at the Camp Nou against the side managed by the current Juve boss!

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