FC Barcelona versus Pep Guardiola. Even now, three years after his departure it still seems wrong to view Pep Guardiola as "the enemy", but here we are, mere hours away from welcoming him back to the Camp Nou as a member of the opposition. He is the head coach at Bayern Munich now, and for all the success and joy he brought us over the years, Guardiola is now just the same as any other opposing coach. He is today's Carlo Ancelotti, or Jose Mourinho if you will.
Except, he isn't and we know he isn't. Guardiola is a genius and one of the best tactical minds of our generation and perhaps of any generation. The way he knows and understands football is unparalleled, and if he can get the Bayern Munich squad marching along to his tune, then well, we know first-hand that we probably don't stand a chance.
However, as it goes, Bayern aren't fully behind their Catalan coach; there are questions and doubts about whether his style fits best. What about the Jupp Heynckes era they say, as Pep tries to implement his own identity onto the team. Their less than total buy-in to that Pep philosophy is hurting them, and Barcelona can take advantage tonight.
For we, as a squad, have complete faith in Luis Enrique's methods, in his teachings and while it took us a while to reap the rewards, we are beginning to see the benefits right now. The frontline is firing on all cylinders, the midfield is finding its feet and the defense is at its miserly best.
Five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions? 20 goals in those five matches? Yep, that's the kind of form that Barcelona approach this game in today. No wonder so many see us as favourites.
But can we live up to that billing? We will soon have the answer; check below to see where and when tonight's epic clash is going to be screened in your neck of the woods.
source:barcablaugranes
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