Luke's Football blog

This will be a cracking game as it’s two former greats battling it out with each other. Both teams have had rocky years, to say the least, with them both in the Europa League together.

Almost a decade ago, this was a Champions League final, but in recent years, it’s been a Europa League round of 32 tie; however, both of these teams have quality in abundance, hopefully making it a cracking game.

Both teams have good young talent, with Barcelona having Pedri and Gavi, who are the next Spanish talents. Gavi came through the La Masia Academy, while Pedri was signed in the summer of 2020 from Las Palmas.

The Red Devils also have some young and experienced talent with Rashford having his redemption season after a season of struggle and Jadon Sancho, who’s back in form after a hard time recently, so this will make it a close game.

It’s going to be hard for United, though, as they will be without one of their best players this season in Lisandro Martinez, who has proven his critics wrong from earlier in the season by becoming a solid cb and having a great partnership with Varane. Barcelona will be without a key player as well, with Dembele currently injured and not fit for the game today.

My prediction is a 1-0 Barcelona win as I think they have moree talent and will control the midfield today which is where the game is won and I think United will be short there which will be a problem.

Overall, it will be a good game, with both teams wanting to go far in this competition as a European trophy is at stake, which will make the tie a good one for the fans to watch and be excited over. ​