10 key days for FC Barcelona’s League and European hopes
Over the next 10 days Barça will play three games that are key to success this season: the two Champions League semi finals and Saturday’s La Liga clash with Real Madrid. The two matches against Chelsea stand between Barça and another Champions League Final, whilst the Madrid ‘clásico’ will define FC Barcelona’s chances in the Spanish League.
Barcelona (FCB).- Josep Guardiola has always repeated the same message to Barça players and fans alike: “our objective is to get to April with our chances still intact in all the competitions”. Once again this season that objective has been met, with the Spanish Cup, Champions League and La Liga all in sight. The next ten days will be key to their success on both the domestic and European fronts.
Stamford Bridge and El Clásico
First up this week is the trip to London for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg. FC Barcelona has flight to England this Monday and will not be back at the Camp Nou until Thursday, as they attempt to revive the memories of their success at Stamford Bridge in the 2009 semi-final.
There’ll be little time to reflect on Wednesday’s game, as preparations will start for Saturday’s visit of Real Madrid as soon as Barça players get back to Catalonia. A win for Guardiola’s men would leave them just a point behind Madrid in the Spanish League – piling the pressure onto Mourinho’s team, whilst a draw or a Madrid win would really make it tough for FC Barcelona to retain their League title. This will be a truly decisive ‘classico’.
Munich final beckons
Just three days after the Real Madrid game, it’s Chelsea who are the visitors to the Camp Nou for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final, a game that will decide who goes through to the final in Munich in May. Barça have a great challenge ahead of them – to become the first team to retain the Champions League. Just as with the Real Madrid game, home advantage against Chelsea could prove key.
Over the next few days, Barça’s challenge for the League and Champions League could stumble, or Barça could once again stride on towards the May final in Munich and a thrilling close to the domestic league.
Only one day off from training
The squad will be playing three games in 10 days and also have a full schedule of training, with only this Wednesday without a session, match day at Stamford Bridge, where they will train on Tuesday evening.