Manchester United and FC Barcelona meet in the first round of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. Confrontation will be played on Wednesday, at 20:00, on Old Trafford.
The two bands have developed a real rivalry in the UEFA Champions League, with no less than eight direct duels, two of which are final. “The Catalans” managed to score on both occasions, 2-0 in 2009 and 3-1 in 2011, while United managed to win the double hand in the 2007/2008 semifinals, 0-0 in the away and 1-0 in Manchester, when the English were able to conquer the trophy, going into the final act of Chelsea after the penalty shoot-outs.
“Devils” are unbeaten in the three direct duels with Barcelona, played in Manchester in the Champions League (2-2 in 1994, 3-3 in 1998 and 1-0 in 2008).
Although they managed to surprise and eliminate the PSG, we must not forget that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s band showed a very modest game in the first round of that double when opponents wound up with a score of 2-0 , being superior to almost all chapters. In return, the Paris team relaxed, with a 2-0 win from the tour being a result that would ensure their qualification in the next round. That’s why United has managed to come back, scoring two goals in the first half, with Marcus Rashford scored in the penalty 90 + 4 minutes.
Barcelona has not encountered difficulties in doubles with Lyon, despite the fact that the tournament ended with a “white” draw (0-0). The return was dominated by the band on Camp Nou, which managed to impose with a definite 5-1.
In the four home games played this season in the UEFA Champions League, United scored a 1-0 win over Young Boys, a draw (0-0 with Valencia) and two defeats (0-1 with Juventus and 0 -2 with PSG), but only the PSG failure was played with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the host’s bench. On the other side, Ernesto Valverde’s band is unbeaten in the European season this season with two wins (4-2 at Tottenham and 2-1 at PSV Eindhoven) and two draws (1-1 at Inter Milan and 0-0 in Lyon ).
Alexis Sanchez is injured and will not play for the hosts, while Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian are uncertain. Rafinha will not have a chance to see Rafinha as he is injured while Ousmane Dembele’s presence in the field is uncertain.
Probable teams
Manchester United: David De Gea – Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw – Herrera, Matic, Pogba – Lingard – Lukaku, Rashford;
FC Barcelona: Stegen – Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Vidal – Messi, Suarez, Coutinho;
United does not cross a very good shape before this double, with three defeats suffered in the last four games played in all competitions, all three failures being displaced. With eight wins in the last ten games played in all competitions, four of which have been won in the last five runs, Barcelona starts with the first chance in this duel, and a bet on the victory of the winners with the stake returned in the event of a tie seems to be the most good option. Also, given that the hosts suffer defensively, not by absences but by playing, we can expect at least two goals scored by the favorite team.
PREDICTION: Barcelona to win @ 2.05
