Pep Guardiola has vowed his side will beat Chelsea in the return leg of their semi-final to possibly book an El Clasico rematch in the champions league final.
Guardiola is optimistic, despite his side begin 1-0 down on aggregate against the English giants.
Barcelona has added incentive going into their Champion’s League show-down: a 2-1 defeat to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the EL Clasico fixture last weekend.
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have semi-final matches with both looking to advance to the final, setting up a possible El Clasico rematch at the end of June.
But much like Spanish superpower Barcelona, Real Madrid need to reverse their first leg result after going down to German heavyweights Bayern Munich 2-1 last weekend.
El Clasico matches are arguably the biggest fixtures on the world football calendar.
So the question is: Can the two Spanish giants reverse their deficits, to play the biggest match on the biggest stage for the first time ever?
The form guide is not in Barcelona’s favour, having lost or drawn their last six champions league matches against Chelsea.
The Blues have not lost an EPL match since the 21st of March, making Roberto Di Matteo’s men a tough task for Barcelona tomorrow morning.
Barcelona have lost their last two games, albeit to Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Chelsea may play all players behind the ball for the majority of the game to protect their one goal lead.
One feels however, that may be dangerous given the attacking prowess of players like Messi and Iniesta.
An away goal is crucial for Chelsea as it would put one foot in the door of a champions league final.
Crosstown rivals Real Madrid are heading into their match against Bayern with better form after a confidence boosting El Clasico win. The Germans are feeding off the momentum of the first leg win against Real Madrid and a league victory against Werder Bremen 2-1.
Form would have to go to Bayern Munich based on the results, however Real Madrid have a crucial away goal which could make all the difference in a tight fixture on Wednesday (local time).
The good thing about form in these games is that it doesn’t matter.
Big games are where big players step up: the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Robben and Drogba. These players have the ability to win games of their own boot through speed, skill and sheer brilliance.
The advantage for both Spanish sides is that they will be playing at home. Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabeu the two hardest places to travel in world football.
Real Madrid have lost one home game this season and that was to Barcelona in November. Barcelona too have lost only one league game at home this season; and that was against Real Madrid last weekend.
Victory by the two clubs will create the first ever ‘El Clasico’ Champions League final since its inception in 1956.
It is very unlikely the two Spanish teams will advance given the positions they find themselves in tomorrow morning but not impossible, given both team boast some of the best players in the world.
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