FC Barcelona, after an intense fight with FC Liverpool, have created a brilliant starting position for their return leg in the Champions League semi-finals. An outstanding Lionel Messi and the former Liverpool player Luis Suarez pushed the door wide open to the final. The guests did not reward themselves for a partially dominant performance.
The return leg will take place next Tuesday at Anfield Road (from 21:00 LIVE on DAZN and in the LIVETICKER).
Barca coach Valverde relied largely on the eleven, who had held their own against Liverpool’s arch-rivals Manchester United in the quarter-finals. Only the ex-Munich Vidal moved to one of the two eighth positions instead of Arthur.
The idea to keep the fast Reds in check by more physis in midfield didn’t work at first. Klopp also strengthened his centre. With Fabinho, Milner, Keita and Wijnaldum, the team manager of the Reds offered four strong players.
In addition to the absence of goal scorer Firmino (muscular problems) surprised the guests especially the non-considerations of Alexander-Arnold and Henderson. However, the latter entered the match early due to an injury of Keita (24). In this phase the Klopp-Elf still had everything under control.
The 94,000 spectators at Camp Nou were offered the expected open exchange of blows with half chances on both sides. The guests defend high and just across the left side with the agile Robertson came again and again dangerously near the Barca gate. However, all six finishes of the English runner-up missed their target.
The landlords made it better in person of Suarez. The Uruguayan used a strong input from Alba after an even stronger walk cleverly to 1-0 (26.). Klopp’s team, however, did not let themselves be put off by this and continued to play courageously forward, especially after the change of side.
Milner (47.), Salah (53.) and again Milner (59.) tested ter Stegen for nice combinations. Barca hardly managed to relieve the pressure in front of a home audience. Characteristic: Valverde’s decision to take out the offensive Coutinho for the defensive Semedo (60.).
But the Klopp-Elf did not reward themselves for their high efforts – and was brutally punished by Messis cold-bloodedness and genius. With the Argentinian’s double pack (75th/82nd), Barca’s dreams of the third triple win within ten years live more than ever.
Goal: 1:0 Suarez (26.), 2:0 Messi (75.), 3:0 Messi (82.)
If anything went wrong with a barca that was harmless in places, it was “la Pulga”. What happened in the final quarter of an hour was pure madness. Messis double pack finally put the Catalans on the final course. Especially beautiful: his free-kick to 3-0 from 25 meters.
Had as so often in this season as a left outside no connection to the game (only 35 ball actions). Also lacked the necessary speed and aggressiveness in the game against the ball (0 percent duel rate). Was consequently replaced after one hour.
After a tricky duel between Mane and Pique in the penalty area, he correctly did not decide on the penalty kick (6.). Had a largely fair encounter under control.
