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What is the story?
Lyon skipper Nabil Fekir has given Barcelona a warning message ahead of their Champions League round of 16 return leg tie at Camp Nou. In a recent interview with a Spanish newspaper outlet Sport, the French midfielder said:
"We believe we can win but we know it'll be a difficult match. We know their strengths, but we'll give it everything. Before that we have a match against Strasbourg. It was frustrating not being able to play in the first match due to my suspension,"
In case you didn’t know….
The first leg between Lyon and Barcelona finished goalless after wasteful finishing from both sides. Nabil Fekir was suspended for that tie due to the accumulation of yellow cards in the group stages.
Given the attacking nature of the both sides, it is still a wonder how the game finished 0-0 after 90 minutes at Lyon, but with Barcelona’s prowess at home, the Spanish club are still favourites to go through to the quarterfinals.
The French midfielder has been outstanding for Lyon this season. He has already scored 12 times, out of which three goals came in the Champions League, and assisted seven times. Though he has been struggling recently due to minor injuries but the Lyon attacking midfielder played the whole 90 minutes in their recent 5-1 triumph against Toulouse in Ligue 1, and is still aiming to be 100% fit against the mighty Barcelona.
What’s Next?
Lyon will take on Barcelona in the return leg at Camp Nou on March 13. Barcelona’s form has been not less than outstanding of lately and a monumental task is required from Lyon’s point of view to pull off the upset.
It will be fascinating to see how Lyon will cope not only with the hostile atmosphere at Camp Nou but also the quality that Barcelona possess.
Nabil Fekir stats - https://www.whoscored.com/Players/134893/Show/Nabil-Fekir
