Champions League: Barcelona vs Schalke 04 This is the match that could turn the season over for each side. Champions League semifinals would be a great success for German vice-champion that would compensate for every missed chance in domestic championship, while a failure in the Champions League could infuriate the fans in Barcelona.
Crisis
After a missed opportunity to come closer to Real Madrid, Barcelona stepped deep in the crisis and only Champions League success could save them. A draw against Getafe confirmed that Frank Rijkaard doesn't have the solution for playing in many competitions, but they simply don't have the solution for the teams that field more defenders. Long injured list doesn’t justify the faint performance where they managed to hit the target but in the end only took a point. Messi's absence could be a problem since the team seem sleepy without his actions. Ronaldinho is in a way already history, everyone speaks of his transfer, while Deco’s absence also affected the play. Bright sides are Iniesta and Xavi while Bojan and Giovanni still can’t inspire and get the team going.
It will be hard to impose their style against the persistent Germans. A goal in Gelsenkirchen is a huge advantage so a game like against Getafe would be enough to qualify. Still, we should have in mind the huge number of chances Schalke players haven’t used on home ground.
Repeat the game from last week
Mirko Slomka’s side completely outplayed Barcelona in the first leg. Aggressive play, a lot of tempo and running compensated for technical superiority of Barcelona players. To say the least, they earned a draw, though if Altintop, Kuranyi and Asamoah were more focused, their side could have won. The question is how they will handle crowded Camp Nou, where they play for the first time, and if they repeat the play from seven days ago, semifinal could be their reality. Precisely Getafe showed how one can guard their net, while Mirko Slomka must find the recipe how to reach Victor Valdes’s net. The key of success could be Kuranyi, whose form is far from what this player showed a season or two ago, but he ahs many times proven that he is the player for big games. His experience could be crucial in combination with Altintop and Asamoah. Experienced attacker rested in the match against Hansa that Blues solved to their favour and came to only two points away from second Werder.
Betting Verdict
It is hard to predict the outcome of this match after the game in Gelsenkirchen, considering that Schalke were better side while Barcelona won. Both sides will definitely be careful from the start. Home side early goal would seal Schalke’s destiny, while the hosts have no reason to rush forward. As the game goes by the visitors will try to impose their style that could help them level the score form the first leg. This could be the signal for Barcelona to use the empty space in visitors’ defense and reach a triumph. All in all careful play of both sides will cause small number of chances and therefore goals.
Our tip: Bet 8 on Over 2.5 goals
Odds 1.8 at
Bookmaker: Gamebookers
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