Can Barcelona Dig a Grave for Olympique Lyon at Camp Nou?

The Barcelona-Lyon tie is still far from over...But it does look like Barcelona have one foot in the quarters. Can the Catalans sweep Le Gones into the dust pan, or will the French ligue leaders cause a serious upset?

Barcelona failed to clinch a win against Olympique Lyonnais in the first leg of the Champion's league last 16 at the  Stade Gerland, however got an crucial away goal to tip the balance in their favour.

But as one can see, the Blaugrana have not been exactly on a winning streak in the last three weeks in all competitions (zero wins in five games to be precise), so the match is worth analyzing.

First leg

Barça were seeing flames in the first half of the first leg and could have been demolished if it were not for Lyon’s lack of clinical finishing and good sights from Valdes. Juninho’s freekick had really stunned Barça and left them chasing shadows.

Second half saw a rise in pressure from Barça play, as Dani Alves and Pique could have found goal. At long last, Hugo Lloris (Lyon stopper) couldn’t stop a decent header from a fellow Frenchman in Thierry Henry.

So the Blaugrana bring the away score advantage to the Nou Camp.

Second leg

In approaching this coming match, Guardiola did say that Lyon gave Barça very important lessons; one of which I presume: Thou shalt not foul a Lyon player within a 25 yard radius from Valdés’ goal because a certain Juninho Pernambucano doesn’t usually miss the target from free-kicks, plus Victor Valdés does tend to be vulnerable at times when handling the ball and in positioning.  

Barça’s 4-3-3 formation allows Alves to drift on the right flank and go the attacking third of the field.

This effectively leaves three at the back and in this match Pep Guardiola will need not risk putting an attacking left back like Sylvinho, because this would leave two (2) defenders at the back which would offer Lyon, unnecessary free space to get an away goal of their own.

One would rather see Puyol in that position, with Pique and Marquez beside him.

In recent matches, Barça have extremely been unlucky of not scoring when they could have, especially early in the game, and these has shown to be very instrumental in the outcome of the games this season.

Except for two matches in the whole season (vs FC Basel at camp Nou, 1-1 and vs. Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon, 3-4), Barcelona have won every game that they scored first. So an early goal from Barça can decide the tie.

Key Players

Lionel Messi has come back on the scoring sheet in the last two matches for Barça and it seems he won’t stop his reborn form and consequently, could rip Lyon to shreds down the right wing or wherever he drift to in the game.

Thierry Henry has been really been unforgiving in front of goal lately so if he has his day, he will be useful in sending the French packing. Besides, Olympique Lyonnais has been conceding too many goals this Champions league campaign—11 in seven matches, so if Messi, Henry, and Co. can step into overdrive, they will score goals.

Winless streak

Recently Barcelona hasn’t been too convincing in their matches, three draws and two losses in five games. Is there a reason to worry? Not really. One has to realize that Barcelona’s most recent draw against Mallorca in the Spanish Cup semis has put them in to the finals. For any team that is a serious confidence boost.

And if Barça are confident and players like Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Eto’o and Henry are feeling good, no team can outplay them.

Prediction

Barcelona 3 – 1 Lyon