Five reasons to believe in a Barcelona comeback against Juventus
Barça need to produce another miracle to remain in the Champions League
But there are reasons to believe that Luis Enrique's side can do it once again
"We have a one percent chance of getting through; 99 percent is running, having faith and if God wants, the goals will arrive." Neymar already led Barcelona's comeback against PSG and now he's insisting there's the possibility of another. Barça have been permanently on the wire this season, capable of achieving impossible feats but also on the end of painful defeats.
And Juve, despite the 3-0 win in the first leg in Turin last week, have Barça's win over PSG in their heads. "They are like sharks, they smell blood," Giorgio Chiellini has said. It's impossible to rule Barcelona, so here are five reasons to believe that Luis Enrique's side can produce another historic comeback on Wednesday night at Camp Nou.
Messi 'SUPER MOTIVATED'
The people close to him say Lionel Messi is desperate to turn the tie around. Annoyed by events in Turin, as was evident against Real Sociedad, his heart is set on more Champions League success.
In La Liga he has scored 29 goals and he leads the European Golden Shoe. In Europe he's scored another 11 goals and is just two away from 500 Barça goals. The Blaugrana will refer to the Argentine -- once again -- to do the impossible and there's no other player capable of defying logic like he is.
Busquets IS BACK
Without him, Barça were a wreck in Turin. When he's not there, the team seems disorientated. This time he will be able to control Dybala and order a Barça side which has lacked reliability (the team's leaked seven goals in recent games).
The Blaugrana will need order (not conceding is important for progression) and adventure to turn things around. Against PSG all the stars aligned (they weren't at their very best) to achieve the comeback.
tActicaL VARIANTS
Will we see a 3-4-3 or a more conservative 4-3-3? Barça could surprise Juve with their choice of system. In Turin, the Italians took advantage of Luis Enrique's back three to attack the flanks with players like Cuadrado.
Jordi Alba could return to the XI, then, a player who can do damage from the second line and connects well with Neymar. That could give Dani Alves problems. Sergi Roberto, too, as against Real Sociedad, could have an important role if Barça go 4-3-3.
PreVIOUS COMEBACKS
On three occasions Barça have turned around a 3-0 loss in UEFA competitions. The first time was in 1977-78 against Ipswich Town when they eventually won on penalties. The second time was in 1978-79 against Anderlecht and also came via penalties. The most recent comeback from 3-0 came in 1985-86, when Barça came from three down to beat Gothenberg on penalties.
Then, of course, there's the PSG comeback from 4-0...
Camp Nou COMFORTS
The data is reason for optimism: each of the results in Barcelona's four home games in the Champions League this season would be enough for Luis Enrique's side to turn the tie around.
It was 7-0 against Celtic; 4-0 against Manchester City; 4-0 against Borussia Monchengladbach; and, of course, el 6-1 against PSG. They're results which show the potential of Luis Enrique's men at Camp Nou, where they're in their comfort zone. Also in La Liga Barça have recorded seven results which would allow them to equal or better Juve's 3-0 win.
