Barcelona will head into the game following a demanding midweek fixture in the UEFA Champions League. The Blaugrana travelled to England to face Newcastle United at St James' Park in the first leg of their round of 16 tie. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving everything to play for in the second leg at Camp Nou.
Estupinan smashed the ball into the net leaving Yann Sommer surprised and frozen. Allegri's tactical tweaks taking advantage of the wide areas - occupied by Luis Henrique especially - paid off. The gap to first place and Inter was reduced to seven points.
Former Palace striker Glenn Murray called Sarr's first goal "very cool". "[He took a] really slow walk up, waited for the goalkeeper to go to his left and put it into the empty net," Murray told BBC Sport. "I am watching - people are heading to the exits."
This game clearly gives us the opportunity to, first, give minutes to guys who have perhaps had fewer minutes in the preseason and in the last game we played. But yes, we're going to try to give everyone playing time. We need to give the whole squad some opportunities.
Against Albacete in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, he showed once again that his physical attributes are a difference maker. He spent the game chasing down attackers, winning duels on the ground and in the air, and ultimately rising for the game winning header. It seems clear that Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, and even Gerard Martín, are ahead of him in the pecking order,
Hansi Flick has ensured not to underestimate any opposition in the early stages of the Copa del Rey and has not overly rotated his squad for either of the two games the team has played so far in the competition. Given how both games ended up being close and complicated affairs, it is clear that he will maintain the same approach against Albacete midweek.
