In arguably the most exciting football match the month of August can produce, Spanish giants Barcelona take on German league winner Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League tomorrow. Both teams have navigated tricky fixtures from the start of the tournament but will face their biggest challenge against each other.
Quique Setien and Hans-Dieter Flick have both shown that they can get the best out of the squad at their disposal but they will need their superstars to step up in this crunch clash. Neither team will want to lose and have natural winners in their ranks but who are the players that can decide the outcome of this game?
Here are five players to look out for in this blockbuster Champions League clash:
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
The top goalscorer in the Champions League this season with 13 goals to his name, Lewandowski also has four assists and is enjoying the best season of his time with the Bavarian side. He has looked unstoppable for most of the season and will certainly be a headache for the likes of Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet at the back for Barcelona. If Lewandowski wins his duels with these centre-backs, Bayern will be in the driver’s seat before they know it.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
With yet another world-class performance against Napoli in the last round, Lionel Messi continues to show why he is regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the game. The likes of Kalidou Koulibaly failed to keep him quiet and the likes of Jerome Boateng will also not be looking forward to meeting him. Messi is already winning the mental battle and if he can win the on-field battle as well, Barcelona will get a shot at another Champions League semi-final.
Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich)
Though not the biggest of names in world football yet, Davies is a crucial part of the Bayern squad. Playing at left-back, he has managed to put in match-winning performances at both ends of the field and will relish this opportunity to play against a quality side from Spain. However, he is still 19 and if Barcelona can target him at the back, Davies’ position will become crucial in this game. Either way, there is a high chance that the youngster’s performance could decide the outcome of this game.
Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich)
Extensively linked with a move to the Premier League, Thiago was one of the best players for Bayern when they beat Chelsea in the last round of the competition. The Spaniard is easily one of the best playmakers in the game and a chance to demonstrate his talent for potential suitors in the transfer window can see him put in another world-class performance against the La Liga side. On his day, he can run the entire game from the midfield and could leave Barcelona chasing the ball. Surely, he will have to be closely monitored if Barcelona want to take anything from this game.
Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Back from injury, Suarez now has six goals in his last eight games for Barcelona including the one he got against Napoli in the last round. His absence left Barcelona trailing in the race to the La Liga title but the Uruguayan will be a serious threat for Bayern in this game. Suarez and Messi have toyed with the best of defences in Europe and this game could produce yet another master-class from the duo.