MADRID, Nov. 22 -- FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid need to find their identity and their form when they play their respective Champions League games on Wednesday night.
Barca will welcome Leo Messi back into the side for the visit to play Glasgow Celtic, but need to show they are more than a one-man team, while Atletico Madrid have an identity crisis to overcome when they entertain PSV Eindhoven.
Atletico have already assured their place in the last 16 of the competition, but last season' s beaten finalists are still reeling from the 3-0 home defeat against Real Madrid on Saturday night.
That defeat showed how Atletico have changed since their painful defeat on penalties to their neighbors in the 2016 final. Diego Simeone has swapped steel for style with the team playing a more aesthetic passing game, the problem is when plan 'A' doesn' t work, they now lack the defensive meanness to win matches.
The Atletico coach has to consider whether or not to continue with Saul, Koke, Gabi and Carrasco in midfield, or introduce Tiago Cardoso to give better protection to the defense and with nothing at stake on Wednesday, he may be tempted to experiment with his starting 11.
Barcelona wasted a chance to put pressure on Real Madrid at the weekend when they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Malaga in a game they controlled but failed to kill off.
Messi should be back for the trip to Glasgow after suffering a stomach bug at the weekend and Luis Suarez is available after suspension, but with accusations of 'Messi dependence' being aimed at Barca, coach Luis Enrique will want to see other players produce a reaction.
Ivan Rakitic will start after resting at the weekend, while the Barca coach will want to see an improved display from Sergio Busquets, who has not been at his best this season.
Jordi Alba should start after recovering from a hamstring injury and he will offer more pace and width down the left for a game where Barca need at least a point against a rival they defeated 7-0 earlier in the season.
国际英语资讯:UN refugee agency calls for intensified support for displaced Afghans
Apple被篡位,全球最有价值上市公司变了
国际英语资讯:Roundup: Israel bans Christians in Gaza from reaching West Bank, Jerusalem for Christmas
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: U.S. Democrat-led House to vote impeachment articles against Trump next week
2019年12月英语六级作文答案:试卷一家庭责任
你知道吗?家里的花花草草也会喊疼呢!
A Small Test 一个小测试
2019年12月英语四级作文答案:试卷二学中文的大学
2019年12月英语四级作文预测:禁止吸烟
Free Meal 免费的午餐
国际英语资讯:Newly elected Algerian president calls protesters for dialogue
国际英语资讯:S. Korea, U.S. to hold talks over upkeep cost-sharing for USFK
国际英语资讯:Complex challenges await Algerias new president: experts
国际英语资讯:NATO says seeks to increase cooperation with Gulf countries
Airbnb不想只做民宿,现在进军办公楼了
国际英语资讯:U.S. accuses Irans proxies of attacking Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops
国际英语资讯:Red Cross Societies of China, Myanmar to strengthen cooperation
国际英语资讯:China, Kazakhstan to further promote synergy of BRI, Kazakh economic policy: ambassador
国际英语资讯:Zimbabwes Mnangagwa urges enhanced productivity to grow economy
国际英语资讯:FAO chief calls for action to improve food security in Africa
国际英语资讯:Indias top court to hear petitions challenging constitutional validity of citizenship law
The Meaning of Money 金钱的意义
国际英语资讯:Iran rules out talks on restoration of diplomatic ties with U.S. after prisoner swap
国际英语资讯:UN security council calls for restraint in violence-hit Iraq
国际英语资讯:Ministerial meeting on African defense kicks off in Egypt
推特发布年终盘点 今年转发次数最多的推文是一颗蛋
国际英语资讯:Sudans former president exempted from prison sentence for being old despite conviction for
2019年12月英语六级作文范文:大学教育
国际英语资讯:Mexican, U.S. trade officials to discuss labor enforcement provision in USMCA: media
国际英语资讯:Ugandan president reshuffles cabinet