"If any team can come back from this, it's Barcelona." Barcelona boss Luis Enrique's optimism ahead of his side's Spanish Super Cup second leg may well be warranted given the attacking potency his side boast, but he will be acutely aware that they face a huge mountain to climb if they are to lift the Super Cup after Monday's match.
Trailing by four goals, struggling to recapture their imperious form of last season, and missing one of their star players would be challenge enough, but having conceded eight goals in their last two matches the task of overcoming a confident Bilbao side may well be a bridge too far, even for Barcelona.
However, for soccer fans, the tie is perfectly set up for one thing: attacking football. Barcelona will need at least four goals to stand a chance of winning and will likely have a gung ho mentality from the kick off.
In front of their home fans Luis Enrique's Barcelona team will walk out into the Nou Camp without the added attacking threat of Brazilian superstar Neymar, who continues to miss out due to suffering with the Mumps and with the psychological scars of having been so humbled on Friday.
The onus will be on Lionel Messi to inspire his teammates and lead the Catalans to their twelfth Super Cup title. Messi should be helped by the addition of influential midfield duo Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta, who started the first leg on the bench. Enrique is also waiting on the fitness of key defender Jordi Alba, who could help provide the stability at the back that the team have lacked in his absence.
For Bilbao, however, the chance to win their first title since 1984 has never been stronger. The Rojiblancos will walk out on Monday afternoon full of confidence after their utter dominance in the San Mames Stadium in the first leg.
Lead by first-leg hattrick hero Artitz Adruiz, Bilbao will look to soak up Barcelona pressure and break on the counter attack and once again take the Barca backline by surprise.
Whether they are able to recreate their goal scoring heroics of the first leg seems unlikely, but the longer they are able to keep the home side at bay, the more they will believe they can complete a famous victory.
Four goals would normally be considered enough against any other side to guarantee victory, but as Luis Enrique alluded to, Bilbao isn't facing an ordinary side.
This is the Spanish and European champions. Barca only lost once at home last season and in front of their home fans the Catalans are generally outstanding. If they are able to establish dominance in midfield and are able to involve Messi in the game far more than he was involved in the first leg, then their pressure could well bring the goals that could inspire the rout they need and fans at the Nou Camp are so familiar with.
As with this preview, the storyline for this match revolves around Barcelona. However, Bilbao will be quietly confident and know what they have to do to ensure they achieve the result they need to finally take a trophy back to the Basque region again.
When: Monday, August 17th
Kick off: 16:00 ET
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona
TV Links: ESPNEWS, ESPN DEportes
Liver Stream: WATCH ESPN
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