The Spanish side head into the contest on the back of an impressive 4-0 win over Osasuna while Galatasaray overcame Besiktas 2-1.
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Barcelona travel to Istanbul, to take on Galatasaray, aiming to book a place in the quarter-finals of Europa League. The first leg of the last-16 tie at Camp Nou ended 0-0, therefore both sides enter the second leg on a level playing field. Xavi’s side head into the contest on the back of an impressive 4-0 win over Osasuna while Galatasaray overcame Besiktas 2-1. Domenec Torrent’s side produced an impressive defensive performance in Spain to secure a goalless draw last week. But the Turkish side will need to be more proactive at NEF Stadyumu as the winner will go through to the next round.
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In the first leg fixture, a raft of changes from Xavi didn’t pay off although the likes of Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong went close a couple of times, only to be denied by goalkeeper Inaki
Pena and the woodwork.
Galatasaray warmed up for the second leg with a 2-1 win over Besiktas courtesy of a double from Akturkoglu. The Turkish side has lost just one of their last seven in all competitions after a dismal streak of defeats in the winter, and they have failed to score in only one of their last 16 home games.
On the other hand, Barcelona have been in incredible form under Xavi, having not lost in their last 10 games in all competitions. The Blaugrana have scored 18 goals and conceded just four in their previous five games.
In the previous match against Osasuna, Ferran Torres scored a brace inside the opening 21 minutes before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tripled the lead on 27 minutes and then Riqui Puig completed the drubbing with 15 minutes left..
Galatasaray attacker Ryan Babel picked up a knock in the first leg but was fit enough to make the bench for the Besiktas clash, and Torrent is expected to start with almost the same eleven as in the first leg.
Right-back Sach Boey, who was rested against Besiktas is expected to return to the starting eleven. The back-four which kept a clean sheet in Camp Nou is not expected to change. Once again Torrent is likely to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation which could switch to a defensive 4-5-1 formation depending on the situation.
The midfielders did a fantastic job in the first leg to close down the opposition quickly and gave very little space to the Barcelona wingers. However, since Torrent’s side will need to be a bit more attack minded at home, they are likely to lose a bit of solidity at the back.
As for Barcelona, Gerard Pique, who was taken off against Osasuna with a slight groin problem has made the squad for this contest but could very well be spared for the meeting with Real Madrid.
Xavi has hinted that he will start with a full strength squad, therefore Frenkie De Jong, who was tested against Osasuna, will return to the midfield to partner Sergio Busquets and Pedri. Meanwhile Aubameynag, who has been in stupendous form for the Catalan club will lead the attack with Ferran Torres and Adama Traore occupying the wings.
Unlike the first leg, the attackers are likely to get a bit more space to operate and the Barca front-three have electric pace to utilise any kind of space offered to them. The Blaugrana will needs to pass the ball quicker in order to break a stubborn Galatasaray defence and the off-the-ball movements of Traore and Torres will be crucial.
Xavi will deploy a 4-3-3 formation with Busquets sitting in front of the back four, allowing the likes of De Jong and Pedri to push further forward. De Jong is likely to make those inside runs quite often.
