Barcelona vs Manchester United, Champions League draw: What to expect from Lionel Messi and Barca
Barcelona got to the last eight by beating Lyon 5-1 on aggregate in the last-16, all goals scored in the second leg, after the Spanish giants topped their group unbeaten on 14 points ahead of Tottenham
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United were drawn against five-time European Cup winners Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
United progressed to this stage courtesy of a thrilling comeback against PSG in the last 16, progressing on away goals after a late Marcus Rashford penalty.
United finished in second place in Group H, two points behind Juventus.
Barcelona got to the last eight by beating Lyon 5-1 on aggregate in the last-16, all goals scored in the second leg, after the Spanish giants topped their group unbeaten on 14 points ahead of Tottenham.
The first leg will be played at Old Trafford on either Tuesday 9th April or Wednesday 10th April, and the second leg will be at the Nou Camp a week later, on either Tuesday 16th April or Wednesday 17th April.
But what do Manchester United need to know about Barcelona?
Key player
Lionel Messi Who else? The Argentine magician has scored eight times already in the Champions League this season, making him joint top scorer, and a staggering 36 times in all competitions. He scored twice against Lyon in the last-16 and as ever will be central to Barcelona’s plans, unlocking opposition defences alongside Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele.
Champions League record
Barcelona have won the Champions League five times, their last success coming in 2015. But they have not reached the final since that triumph and in four of the last five seasons, Ernesto Valverde’s side have been knocked out at the last eight stage.
Head-to-head
Barca last played Manchester United in this competition in the 2011 final, where goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa guided Barca to a 3-1 win. Barca also beat United 2-0 in the 2009 final, but United did beat the Catalans the last time they played over two legs in 2008: 1-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals, courtesy of a Paul Scholes screamer.
Domestic form
Barcelona are enjoying a dominant domestic campaign, currently topping La Liga by seven points to Atletico Madrid in second with only two defeats to their name. Barca also are into the final of the Copa del Rey, where they will face Valencia, after beating Real Madrid and Sevilla over two legs en route.
Odds
Barcelona to win the competition: 4/1
(Betfair)
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