Barcelona travel to PSV for penultimate Champions League group stage match
A win in Eindhoven will secure first place in the group for the Catalans.
Barcelona currently sit top of the group with 10 points from four games, whereas PSV are bottom with a solitary point. The Dutch champions have been unable to replicate their league form in Europe with the gulf in quality showing between the two, although they did earn a draw against Tottenham and push Internazionale close at the Philips Stadion.
In contrast to PSV, Barcelona have saved their best form for the Champions League because they have only picked up 25 points from 13 games in the league. November has been a tough month with four points from three games as well as the draw against Inter at the San Siro. A late comeback was required to beat Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis beat them at Camp Nou utilising a similar style and Ousmane Dembele saved the team with a late equaliser against Atletico Madrid.
The previous fixture between the two saw Barcelona comfortably win 4-0 even though Samuel Umtiti was sent off in the second half. Lionel Messi scored a hat trick and Dembele bagged the other with an excellent solo effort. PSV only have a Europa League place to play for as finishing third would see them drop into the knockout stages for that competition.
Mark van Bommel utilises a 4-3-3 formation with Hirving Lozano and Steven Bergwijn the main threats on either wing. Luuk de Jong effectively acts as a target man and Gaston Pereiro supports the attack with his runs and creativity from the attacking midfield role. For this match, they should have a full-strength XI available and it would be a surprise if Van Bommel didn’t elect to use it even though they do have a trip to Feyenoord at the weekend.
More from Analysis
- FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
- How can Xavi unlock Joao Felix for FC Barcelona?
- Where does Joao Cancelo fit for FC Barcelona?
- Three takeaways from Barcelona’s 4-3 win at Villarreal
- Barcelona vs Cádiz Player Ratings from a 2-0 win
The Catalans have a number of players unavailable due to injuries, so Ernesto Valverde could be forced into using a new-look set-up. Luis Suarez’s injury means he could play Messi centrally with two of Malcom, Dembele and Philippe Coutinho either side of him or even push Coutinho into midfield so the other two can start. However, he is usually cautious in his approach so Munir is more likely to come in for the Uruguayan. Dembele deserves a start, at the very least, based on his contribution against Atletico. Ivan Rakitic joins Coutinho in being back available for this game after an injury, which is a welcome boost due to the all-round skillset he brings to the team.
Messi will be raring to build on his five goals in the competition after missing the two Inter matches. His speech prior to the Joan Gamper trophy game focused on bringing back the Champions League to Camp Nou for the first time since the treble-winning 2014/15 season after three years in which Real Madrid have dominated Europe. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another special performance from him.
Next. Barcelona should accept Everton’s offer for André Gomes. dark
PSV are likely to be a tougher proposition at home, so they are likely to score based on how defensively leaky Barca have been this season. However, the attacking firepower of Barcelona should be enough to blow the Dutch team away.
PSV 1-3 Barcelona