Manchester United v Barcelona: One year on from Rome
The squad have learned their lesson and will face the Red Devils at Old Trafford
“The moments of my life in which I have improved have to do with failure, the moments of my life in which I have got worse have to do with success. Success tricks us, it makes us worse … failure is formative, it makes us more solid, with more conviction.”
A quote from Marcelo Bielsa emblazoned on the wall of Pep Guardiola’s office, the Man City coach, Manchester United’s rivals.
Barcelona learned their lesson exactly a year ago, at the Stadio Olympico in Rome.
That day they were kicked out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals, again, just like in recent years.
It’s a thorn in the side of Barcelona, who are asking themselves how it’s possible to have lost their status in this competition while the best player in history is in their ranks.
This time, Real Madrid are out already thanks to Ajax, one less ghost for Barca in the competition. “The most beautiful cup,” as Messi described it before the start of the season.
His ambition and talent can drive the team to do something great this season. But the path is slippery and they are on it now, with Barcelona playing at Old Trafford on Wednesday. They face Manchester United, a team who they have good memories of - winning two Champions League finals against them - but it is an important stage against a rival that has recovered morale.
THE NEW UNITED
Pogba’s United, Solskjaer’s United, are different. Rivals chanted ‘Park the bus, park the bus Man United,’ with Jose Mourinho in charge, but the Norwegian coach’s arrival has brought joy.
In England they say Barca are favourites, despite United’s comeback against PSG. They admire Messi, fear Suarez and have only seen the best version of Coutinho. But they also know Barca’s recent history.
“It’s not impossible to stop Messi,” said Solskjaer yesterday.
With the hours passing, the sensation that the Norwegian will be more conservative than before is growing. He could go for three centre-backs, a formation which has made Barca uncomfortable this season.
Barca will not make changes and many are hoping Suarez breaks his bad run of not scoring away from home in the competition. It seems the right moment, because in recent weeks he’s hit a formidable level.
