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Klopp has a history of putting hex on Bayern

China Daily | Updated: 2019-02-19 09:42
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) and Luis Suarez (R) during training in Lyon, France on Feb 18, 2019. [Photo/Agencies]

Here's a look at the other Champions League games this week:

Lyon vs Barcelona

Barcelona is back in good spirits after ending a three-game winless streak and extending its comfortable lead in the Spanish league on the weekend.

Barca heads into the game against Lyon showing signs it still hasn't recovered its best form despite having a whole week to prepare before a hard-fought 1-0 home win against Valladolid on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and most of his teammates struggled, and the team looked hesitant at both ends of the pitch.

Arthur's absence has become a problem for coach Ernesto Valverde, as the Brazilian has become pivotal in dictating Barca's pace in midfield.

The 22-year-old needs a few more weeks to recover from a hamstring injury.

The game could have some bearing on Lyon coach Bruno Genesio's future.

Although Genesio guided Lyon to the last 16 without losing a group game, club president Jean-Michel Aulas has yet to say whether Genesio will stay on next season.

Genesio will have to find a way to beat Barca without Nabil Fekir, the main provider and scorer in Lyon's attack, who is suspended.

With Fekir absent, Netherlands forward Memphis Depay has the chance to put in the kind of performance to help him fulfill his wish of joining a bigger club next season.

Atletico vs Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo is returning to Madrid with his Juventus side hitting its stride at just the right time and Atletico should be worried - the former Real Madrid forward has scored 22 goals in 31 matches against Atletico.

The Bianconeri are on a seemingly unstoppable march to a record-extending eighth successive league title in Italy and could be forgiven for relaxing slightly.

While the 3-0 Italian Cup loss at Atalanta ended its chances of a treble, followed by a 3-3 Serie A draw against Parma, it appears to have been just a blip with Juve then beating Sassuolo and Frosinone, 3-0 each time.

"Yes, we are in a good condition," Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said. "Apart from the setback against Parma we are doing well, and we are at a particularly important moment."

Ronaldo scored again against Frosinone on Friday to take his tally to 19 in Serie A. He also showed as good an understanding with Paulo Dybala as he has had with Mario Mandzukic, who joined Juventus from Atletico in 2015.

Allegri was able to rest several players for Friday's match while also giving a run to key defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, back from injury.

Schalke vs Man City

Manchester City was gifted a draw against a Schalke side clearly struggling in its second season under coach Domenico Tedesco.

Saturday's scoreless draw at home against Freiburg was indicative of the Gelsenkirchen-based team's season to date - an unattractive game of few chances with midfielder Suat Serdar sent off before the break for a studs-up challenge.

Schalke has won just six of 22 league games so far this term and languishes in 14th spot in the 18-team standings, with a relegation fight a possibility.

The contrast could hardly be more glaring.

City, in its Premier League title defense, is ahead of Liverpool at the top on goal difference.

Coach Pep Guardiola had the luxury of resting some leading players on Saturday for the FA Cup win over fourth-tier Newport County.

Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva were not summoned from the bench and Sergio Aguero had the day off completely.

The team was back in training on Sunday ahead of the trip to Germany.

A European trophy has eluded City since the Abu Dhabi takeover 11 years ago, with the semifinals the furthest the team has progressed in the Champions League.

Associated Press

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