In normal circumstances, nobody would be giving Barcelona a chance of overturning their 3-0 first leg deficit to Juventus.
This, however, isn't normal circumstances.
Only a few weeks ago, Barca overcame Paris Saint-Germain in their last 16 second leg, despite trailing 4-0 on aggregate at kick off and an away goal from Edinson Cavani.
This time though, there's a sense that the size of their task against the Italian champions is simply too great, even for a team with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in their team. Being an Italian team, Juve know an thing or two about defending. Behind their defence, they also have one of the greatest goalkeepers the game of football has ever seen - Gianluigi Buffon.
Now 39, Buffon, who has never won the Champions League, will have a chance to reach the semi-finals of the competition when he takes to the field at the Nou Camp. But, as highlighted by BT Sport, his record in European competition doesn't make pleasant reading for those expecting another Barcelona miracle.
Incredibly, in 147 games in Europe, Buffon has only conceded four goals or more on two occasions.
https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/854745915004862464
Things aren't looking great for Barca... although you won't see us writing them off just yet.
Catch up with this week's episode of 888Sport Football Friday Live
The best of the best! From its inception in 1930, right up to the present day, the World Cup has maintained its status as the most sought-after prize in world sport, and, as a result, it has been graced by some of the very best footballers the game has ever seen. Through a combination of […]
“This’ll be the best horse.” This week on your favourite horse racing podcast, The Paddock, we’re joined by Oli Bell, Rishi Persad, Tom Stanley, Chris Hughes and global megastar JoJo Siwa. The panel dive into Chris’ gardening past, trying to shake muscle as a jockey, and reaching younger demographics with racing. JoJo then joins the […]
The Reds have reportedly already decided on Slot’s future Liverpool’s defeat to Brighton on Saturday, their 10th loss in just 31 Premier League games so far this season, has sealed the fate of the club’s head coach Arne Slot, according to renowned German outlet BILD. Per the report, the decision to remove Slot from his […]