Just before the classic, Barça faces a Champions League match also at home. A match that should not be very complicated due to the difference in quality with the rival, Shakhtar Donetsk, but which must be faced with maximum activation so that it happens as planned. Here my keys for this meeting:
Given the situation of confirmed casualties and players in the process of readaptation, the first important point is how the Barça coach will move the pieces. A very important classic emerges on the horizon, but today’s is a match that must be secured. So Xavi’s big dilemma will be whether to make three or four rotations from the start or start with a highly reliable eleven to try to get the game back on track and then take breaks. Of course, the troops are few and, furthermore, they cannot count on the sanctioned Gavi.
After becoming the main protagonist against Athletic, the club has urgently registered Marc Guiu so that he can play in the Champions League. This alone would be a sign that he will have minutes but there is also a football issue. And with Lewandowski’s return unclear today, the young forward is the only reference number nine that Barça has right now. The versions by Joao Félix or Fermín did not quite gel on Sunday and Ferran’s gives a lot of dynamism but little fixation. Depending on what Xavi wants, Marc Guiu will have to be used, a footballer who has a lot of goals. Something very important in this sport.
This Wednesday seems like a favorable match to generate chances and so that Ferran and Yamal can have a chance of seeing the goal. In the case of the first, it would continue his good start to the season and would be another injection of self-confidence for a player who, almost certainly, will also start against Real Madrid. Lamine Yamal’s situation is radically different and the youth player is surprising all of Europe for the better. That the talented player could score against Shakhtar would also add even more to him to gain even more football stripes.
Shakhtar splits in two as a team in many match situations. Especially with the game already advanced. And when this happens there is nothing more effective than driving the ball a few meters so that one or more of the rivals leave their zone. Then the disorder under the disorder is reactivated. Something that Barça would do well to take advantage of. He will have facilities for this and it will help him clean the goal areas a lot.
Two names to highlight from the Ukrainian team. The first is that of Alexander Zubkov. He is a wide player, very powerful and can adapt to both sides. He steps into the area with ease and finishes well. Last season he scored against Real Madrid twice. On the other hand, mention Danylo Sikan. He is a very interesting 22-year-old forward. Dynamic and with a great sense of goal. With two goals in the Champions League and an average of 2.5 shots per game, he is a player to control.
