Barcelona vs Liverpool: Match Preview, How to Watch Champions League Semifinals Online, US TV Channel, Live Stream, Start Time
Barcelona returns to the Champions League semifinals for the first time in four years and host Liverpool in their opening leg at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
The Reds fell to Real Madrid in last season’s final and will have to oust Spain’s other powerhouse if they’re to get a shot at avenging that defeat one year on.
Champions League Semifinals: Barcelona vs Liverpool
When: Wednesday, May 1
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: TNT, UDN, Univision
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
Jurgen Klopp’s side is unsurprising underdogs as they travel to Catalonia, where Barca haven’t lost a competitive fixture in their last 18 outings. That includes a seven-match win streak at the Camp Nou, the most recent of which being Saturday’s 1-0 win over Levante.
Lionel Messi came off the bench at half-time and delivered the game’s only goal around the hour mark to wrap up a second successive Spanish top-flight title.
Manager Erneso Valverde appreciated his side looked to the Argentinian for inspiration in his post-match comments but he also said he and his men wouldn’t apologize for his quality:
“Obviously Messi is at the core of all of this. It’s been an era marked by success in La Liga for the club. Coaches and players have come, gone and contributed but if there has to be one name above the rest, it’s Leo’s.
“We’re not going to deny that. Everyone knows it. He marks everything we do. He marks our style of play. His competitive nature drives us all on.”
Perhaps newly dubbed PFA Player of the Year Virgil van Dijk will have a solution to stop Messi. Manchester United was unable to stem the tide in their visit to the Camp Nou a fortnight ago and was blown away 3-0, but the Merseysiders will bank on their squad to fare better.
The Reds demolished Huddersfield Town 5-0 on Friday and will hope their extra night’s rest plays a factor at the Camp Nou. Barca can afford to concentrate resources on Europe now their league title is secure, while Liverpool remains locked in a Premier League tug of war with Manchester City.
Roberto Firmino is a doubt for Wednesday, but Klopp will be pleased to see Mohamed Salah back in the goals after a drought after he’s netted five times in his last six appearances.
Liverpool will have a strong desire to get what’s sure to be a crucial away goal at the Camp Nou, but holding Barca back before a rousing return to Anfield next Tuesday could be the chief priority.
Liverpool hasn’t featured in back-to-back European finals since 1985 and will have to beat the best team of the modern football era if they’re to replicate that feat 34 years on.
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