In the El Classico match against Real Madrid, a wounded Barcelona tried to repel a specific attack by the latter, but the Catalans won 3-1.
Barcelona now has its back against the wall and needs to overcome Villareal and Athletic Bilbao to collect crucial match points.
On next Wednesday night, Bayern Munich travels to Camp Nou to face the Catalans on their home field in a contest that will be fought tooth and nail.
The meeting against the German champions is a must-win for Barcelona if they are to keep their Championship hopes alive.
It’s Champions League, and Barcelona needs to show their teeth if they want to stay in the top 16.
The silver lining for the battered Barcelona team is that Bayern Munich’s centre forward, Leroy Sane, is out of the match at Camp Nou. Sane’s absence is definitely beneficial to Barcelona, and the underdogs will undoubtedly try to capitalise on it next week.
The Catalans would like to forget Leroy Sane’s solo goal against Barcelona the last time they faced.
Leroy had dribbled past a slew of Barcelona defenders and scored clinically, much to the chagrin of Xavi and the club. Bayern is a difficult team to beat, therefore success seemed unlikely.
‘Dream come true’ says Benzema
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid has won the prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy for the first time in his career, beating out Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane, and Kevin De Bruyne.
Benzema, who was instrumental in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory last season, is the first French player to win the cup since Zinedine Zidane in 1998.
At 34, Benzema also became the oldest recipient since Stanley Matthews in 1956.
“I’m really proud, it’s a lot of work and a kid’s dream come true,” Benzema said as he received the award during a ceremony in Paris on Monday.
“There were much more difficult moments for me, when I was not selected [with France] and I did not give up,” Benzema said after Zidane, his former coach at Madrid, handed him the trophy.
“I am really proud of my career. This is the Golden Ball of the people.”
