Lyon VS BarCelona PREview
Intro
The most valuable team in world football in terms of player market value is FC Barcelona. Since the departure of Neymar two seasons ago, the Catalan club has been aggressive in the transfer window and have a super team to show for it. There is quality all over the pitch on this Barcelona team. The beating heart of that quality did not cost a cent and is arguably the greatest player ever to play the game, Lionel Messi. Messi's promise to fans at the beginning of the season has been backed up so far. La Blaugrana is still unbeaten in Europe and sits comfortably on the summit of the Spanish La Liga table. Leading by example, Messi's 30 goals this season is the most on the continent, topping both the Champions League and La Liga goalscoring charts.
The Lions of Lyon is a tricky fixture. President Jean-Michel Aulas had to be craftier in the transfer market than Barcelona but has quietly built a team capable of causing a massive upset. Lyon's policy of combining unfilled potential with its brilliant academy has birthed a fiercely dangerous Champions League candidate.
Olympique Lyonnais like FC Barcelona is still unbeaten in the Champions League this season. Manchester City was beaten by Lyon at the Etihad and needed an 83rd minute Aguero equalizer to tie the game in France. French giant PSG know all too well about the raw energy Lyon can bring, dropping their last two visits to the Groupama Stadium.
Jason Denayer(Manchester City), Memphis Depay (Manchester United) and Bertrand Traoré(Chelsea) were all highly rated players who failed to live up hype at bigger clubs. Lyon has recruited well and has given these players a home to flourish, and they all have. Along with well-trained academy products, World Cup winner Nabil Fekir and his midfield terriers, Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombele, Lyon has the potential to give Barca a real fight.
Maxwel Cornet's three goals in two fixtures against Manchester City could see Lyon insert their Champion's League lucky charm for Barcelona. Léo Dubois is making a case to start in the right back position as well. Bruno Génésio is Lyon through and through and will have his comeback kids fired up for this game. Fekir and Memphis are big game players in every sense and they will welcome the spotlight. Memphis recently spoke about his desire to return to one of Europe's elite a big performance against Barcelona can accelerate that move. Mariano Diaz, another well-scouted big club reject, returned to Real Madrid in the summer after a single season at Lyon. He has been replaced by former Celtic and Fulham hotshot Moussa Dembele, a player that has goal-scoring history against Barcelona.
Goals(all season)- Bertrand Traoré 9, Nabil Fekir 8, Moussa Dembele 7
Key Player- Nabil Fekir, - the captain is fit and ready to close out what could be his final season in a Lyon shirt with a bang. Even though the player is suspended for the first leg he influence will be important over the two legs
Possible Line-up-Lyon
Possible Line-up-Barcelona
FC Barcelona is a big favourite to win the entire tournament so while a round of 16 match-up against a formidable Lyon team is tough, progression is still expected. Coutinho's performances have been underwhelming this season and the Barcelona fans are demanding more from the 3rd most expensive signing in all of football history. Ousmane Dembélé's first season in Spain was riddled by injury and this season injury has raised its ugly face again. Dembélé has been on fire when fit this season, his ability to take on players has been refreshing for Barca viewers. Vidal and Arthur have been rotating as have Sergi Roberto and Semedo. Samuel Umtiti's knee is still a worry. 31-year old Kevin Prince Boateng joined the club in January and could be a real joker in the pack if needed from the bench.
Goals(all season)- Lionel Messi 30, Luis Suárez 16, Ousmane Dembélé 13
Key Player- Lionel Messi, - The little Argentine promised to bring European glory to Barcelona this season and Lyon like every other team in Europe will try to their hardest to reduce the damage he is inevitably going to cause.