Barcelona vs. Cordoba: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Barcelona need a quick recovery in La Liga after inexplicably drawing a blank in their last league match. Despite boasting attacking talent most of Europe envies, Barca could only draw 0-0 at Getafe.
Already under-pressure boss Luis Enrique will hope a home encounter with Cordoba provides the perfect stage for his stars to get back among the goals.
Before a more in-depth preview, here are the schedule and viewing details:
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Date: Saturday, December 20, 2014
Time: 3 p.m. (GMT)/10 a.m. (ET)
TV: Sky Sports 5 (via Red Button at 5.15 p.m. GMT) / beIN Sports USA
Live Stream: Sky Go. beIN Sports Connect.
Preview
It's all about getting the balance right in attack for Enrique. His problem is that he possesses three stars all vying for the same spot on the stage.
Simply put, each of Neymar Jr., Suarez and Messi wants to be the main man for their team. But while they can all play multiple positions, each is generally happiest through the middle.
That's usually the exclusive territory of Messi. But the burden on the masterful Argentine attacker to win every game has only increased while Suarez has been adapting to life in Spain.
It was a burden that proved too much for the terrific tiny goal-getter against Getafe, per Mail Online writer Pete Jenson. Messi needs more support from his illustrious strike partners. Some goals from midfield would also be welcome.
Yet what really doesn't help Messi and those around him is Enrique's infuriating habit of changing his starting 11 every game.
Sky Sports pundit Guillem Balague recently bemoaned Enrique's indecision:
"The Barcelona boss has fielded 22 different line-ups in 22 games this season. This suggests to me that he still hasn’t found the right formula at Barcelona. Collectively the team are not gelling to maximum effect and they are getting good results because of individual brilliance rather than great team work.
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Enrique has plenty of stars to work with, but it's high time the former AS Roma and Celta Vigo gaffer settled on the right mix. What Barca really need is some genuine continuity.
That's the only way Enrique's players will establish a rapport and start to produce the quick-witted, combination passing Barcelona has made its trademark during the last decade.
The search for cohesion must begin against a Cordoba side currently third from bottom and having conceded 22 goals already this season, per BBC Sport.
Scoring has also been a problem with Algerian attacker Nabil Ghilas leading a forward line that's netted just 11 goals.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Cordoba
Barca will likely be nervy early on in the wake of the draw in Getafe. But things will soon calm and Suarez will take his chance to inspire his best performance in a Barcelona shirt.
Every win Enrique's team can earn while Real Madrid are engaged at the FIFA Club World Championship could prove crucial in this season's title race.
