Barcelona and a Champions League crisis
Any group where there is two points separating four teams is going to be of interest.
With two games to go, Group F is really up for grabs but if results go a certain way, the top two places could be done and dusted by the end of this round. It is likely that the excitement will go to Match day 6 but this group has taught people to take nothing for granted.
Inter Milan leading the group is no surprise, Jose Mourinho remains one of the worlds top bosses. Rubin Kazan sitting in second place, above the European Champions, is a major shock. And if Barcelona grab the same points total as Rubin in their last two games, the Catalan giants will finish below the Russians.
Yes, Barcelona have a poorer head to head record, courtesy of the shock Russian win in the Camp Nou. Barcelona fans were shocked not once but twice when the Champions League minnows snatched a 2-1 away win which shocked fans all around the world.
The games on Match day 5 are as follows:
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Rubin Kazan v Dynamo Kiev
The very fact that Barcelona lie third and in real danger of missing out has overshadowed their tie against Inter Milan.
Any other time, the return of Jose and Samuel Eto’o to Barcelona would be filling the headlines and column inches but this match is bigger for the European Champions that welcoming back former heroes and villains.
An Inter Milan win, not out of the question if Rubin Kazan can win, and a Rubin win at home to Dynamo Kiev would see Barcelona able to finish no higher than third.
The final day fixtures see Barcelona travel to Kiev and Inter Milan finish at home to the Russians so it as not as if the last round of fixtures are in Barcelona’s favour either.
It has not been a good week so far for Barcelona:
Abidal and Yaya Toure diagnosed with swine flu
Theirry Henry embroiled in cheat scandal
Real Madrid back on top of Primera Liga
Lionel Messi picking up an injury
This is not the news that a team facing Inter Milan and Real Madrid within the next week needs to see.
Barcelona are Champions of Europe for a reason and a home win versus Inter Milan would turn their week and campaign around.
A defeat doesn’t bear thinking about for the Catalan club.
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