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Champions League
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Match against one of the undefeated teams in the competition

Barça-Brest: Let LaLiga's bad streak not affect the Champions League

Published:25/11/2024 - 21:58h

Updated:26/11/2024 - 01:59h

FC Barcelona, ​​once again without Lamine and now without Balde, will seek to maintain their good European run and shake off the bad feelings after two consecutive setbacks in the domestic competition.

Calendar of FC Barcelona

Barça is facing its first sporting crisis of the Hansi Flick era. The defeat against Real Sociedad meant that the team went into the international break with a bad taste in its mouth. In the return to club football, the Blaugrana team was on track to win against Celta Vigo but, in two minutes of madness, everything fell apart and their rivals tied the match. This Tuesday, at 9:00 p.m., Barça can put an end to the bad feelings with a victory against Brest.

The match against the French team is the first in the history of the Champions League. They are not a team that usually qualifies for European competitions. However, last season they managed to finish Ligue 1 in third place, having the prize of accessing the highest continental championship. Now they will have to face Barça, who will go with the knife between their teeth to win again.

Again without Lamine, now also without Balde

Barça are condemned to win without Lamine, or to drop a lot of points. After not having the star on the pitch at either the Reale Arena or Balaídos, he will not be at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys against Brest. This was confirmed in a press conference by Hansi Flick. Likewise, the German coach explained that Balde will not be there either: "He had some muscle problems, that's why we thought he would rest. Today he is better, but I hope that for the games after Brest he will be an option. He will not be there tomorrow."

After the notable anger after the draw in Vigo, the German has sought to encourage the team in view of the European commitment: "We have to improve, it is normal. We have to give confidence to the youngsters and generate a positive atmosphere. We have a young team, we are doing things very well. Although in the games not so much."

Looking ahead to the match, despite Lamine being out and Balde being added, Hansi Flick could add two new players. Eric García and Ferrán Torres already trained on Sunday and did so again on Monday. So it is possible that they will be included in the squad, even if they do not get many minutes.

Brest undefeated in Champions League

After the historic 23/24 campaign, Brest do not want to wake up from their dream. In the Champions League they are fourth, with three wins and one draw. Unbeaten, after all. It is true that they have not been drawn against the most difficult opponents: Sturm Graz, Salzburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Sparta Prague. Apart from the German team, none of the teams that faced the French club are among the top 24. However, they still have a lot of merit.

In Ligue 1 they are not doing so well. The Breton club is twelfth in the table, just three points above relegation. It is becoming difficult for them to combine domestic competitions with Europe, but they continue to fight in a season that they will never forget.

Iñigo Martínez spoke about this club in a press conference, demanding that they be taken as a serious rival: "They are doing a great job. It is no coincidence that they have not lost a single game. If we lose the slightest respect for them, we will pay dearly for it. It is a good game to win and forget about these two not so good games of the team. We are going to fight to get that victory."

Barça must do everything possible to win against Brest, with the support of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Isolating the events that occurred and focusing on improving is the key formula to be able to take a step forward. In addition, winning without Lamine will give an extra dose of confidence to the Blaugrana players.

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