Off-form Barca face Lyon test
Poor record could haunt Valverde
Barcelona – Despite an iron grip on domestic trophies, Barcelona have been haunted by their recent failures in the Champions League and there are concerning signs for the Catalans as they prepare for today’s last-16 first leg away to Olympique Lyonnais. Ernesto Valverde’s side fly to France after an uninspiring 1-0 win at home to struggling Real Valladolid on Saturday, which consolidated their lead at the top of La Liga but left plenty of doubts about their capabilities of winning Europe’s top prize.
The drab victory over Valladolid followed a goalless stalemate at Athletic Bilbao, a 2-2 draw with Valencia and a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in a Copa del Rey semifinal first leg. “Sometimes you cannot be brilliant in every game, but I think the team is ready to play at its very best,” Valverde said. Defender Gerard Pique, however, was more scathing of Barca’s performance and warned of the potential consequences of their lacklustre displays. “We were not the Barca we wanted to be, the result was good, the sensations were not,” he said.
“We must improve on Tuesday or we will suffer a lot. If we don’t move the ball quickly, dominate the play and possession or create chances, we are a weaker team.”
Barca have fallen at the quarterfinal stage of the Champions League each year since last winning it in 2015. Despite winning three of the last four La Liga titles and collecting the Copa del Rey four years in a row, there is a widespread feeling that Barca should have fared better on the continent, especially while Messi has been at his peak. Barca will be boosted by the return of France’s World Cupwinning defender Samuel Umtiti after nearly three months out with knee injury. Fixtures: (all 10pm) Tonight: Olympique Lyon v Barcelona Tomorrow: Schalke v Manchester City; Atlético Madrid v Juventus. – Reuters