Journalism of Courage
Barca face a crossroads on Tuesday when they attempt to overturn their Round of 16 first leg defeat at AC Milan and stay on course for a fourth Champions League final in eight seasons. Anything less than a quick return to form will probably see Barcelona follow Manchester United,who they beat in the 2009 and 2011 finals,through the exit door.
Arsenal,who lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final,are also expected to be eliminated unless they can overturn their 3-1 defeat against German champions-elect Bayern Munich. The Round of 16 will be completed this week with Schalke 04 going into their home leg against Galatasaray as favourites to advance after drawing 1-1 in Turkey and Malaga seeking to maximise home advantage in their attempt to overturn their 1-0 defeat at Porto in the first game.
If Barca are to join arch-rivals Real Madrid,Borussia Dortmund,Juventus and Paris St Germain,who all made it through to the quarter-finals last week,they need to rediscover the kind of football that has been the envy of Europe for the last six years.
Barca’s assistant coach Jordi Roura rested Lionel Messi and five of his Spain internationals for their 2-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga,but Messi showed he had not lost his touch when he came off the bench and scored for a world record 17th successive league match.
The resurgent Alexis Sanchez had nodded Barca in front in the 38th minute.
Milan,the seven times European champions,are on the crest of a wave following their surprise win over Barca in the first leg. Another team enjoying a two-goal advantage going into the deciding leg are Bayern Munich,last year’s runners-up,will also carry a two-goal cushion into the deciding leg after outplaying Arsenal in London. Manager Arsene Wenger,recognising the enormity of the task his men face,said Arsenal would have to “gamble a little bit” on Wednesday. His observation was something of an understatement as they need to score at least three goals in order to save the tie.
With Borussia already through and Bayern virtually there,Schalke,who will be without the suspended Jermaine Jones,can make it three German teams in the last eight if they see off Galatasaray.
