Hours ahead of the game Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has revealed a simple strategy to beat Juventus in the upcoming Group G Champions League clash at Camp Nou on Wednesday. Koeman feels keeping the ball possession would be the key for Barcelona and by doing so, they can keep Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo, away from the ball.
“We need to try and keep hold of the ball, because as long as we’ve got the ball, [Ronaldo] can’t score,” Koeman said to the press ahead of the much-awaited match.
Hailing Ronaldo and Messi as the best players in the last 10-15 years, Koeman reckoned they were different from each other.
“I think it’s fantastic these two players have been at the top for so long. The best players in the last 10-15 years, that’s incredible. I think it’s a great compliment to both players. They are different, but they have incredible stats about scoring goals, about scoring hat-tricks, about winning prizes,” he said while talking to reporters.
Barcelona realise that Ronaldo would pose a threat and like most teams would have chalked out a plan to not allow him to score.
Both the Group G side have already sealed a Round of 16 spot for themselves, but the stakes for this match would be really high as two of the best modern-day football wizards would take the pitch in Camp Nou.
Ronaldo – who is the all-time highest scorer in the Champions League has not scored against Messi’s Barca at this stage. The 35-year old would like to break the goal drought against Barcelona when they meet.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Ronald Araújo is expected to start for Barcelona.
Ronald Araújo is expected to start for Barcelona in their #UCL clash with Juventus today, according to several media outlets.
It would be his first appearance since coming off injured over a month ago, away to Juventus. pic.twitter.com/N0vlq72GOt
— Warriors of Uruguay (@UruguayanHeroes) December 8, 2020
Barcelona: L W L W D
Juventus: W D W D W
Barcelona (4-4-2): Neto; Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; Trincão, Pjanic, De Jong, Pedri; Messi, Griezmann
Juventus (4-4-2): Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Sandro; Chiesa, Arthur, McKennie, Ramsey; Morata, Ronaldo
