Slavia tactics ended long series at Camp Nou
9.11.2019, Klub
Goalless night at Camp Nou and Slavia lion-hearted performance put an end to several FC Barcelona series.
Slavia manager Jindřich Trpišovský opted for a usual 4-1-4-1 tactical formation with Olayinka and Ševčík as wingers who were tasked with marking Barcelona right (Semedo in 1st half, Roberto in 2nd) and left-back (Alba in 1st half and Semedo in 2nd). Lukáš Masopust started as a lone forward this time supported by Stanciu and Traoré. Slavia manager relied on the usual defence line with only one change when Michal Frydrych replaced injured David Hovorka along with Bořil, Kúdela and Coufal.During the game Trpišovský tinkered with the position of Slavia players and Olayinka together with Ševčík acted as the wing-backs forming a six-man defence which Barcelona found hard to disturb during their build-up play. On top of that, goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář performed several top-class saves against Messi & Co. And because Slavia couldn’t score from any of their counter attacks allowed by Barcelona high pressing, the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
Clean sheet in Group Stage at Camp Nou after 7 years
Slavia earned one point at Camp Nou and ended several Barca series. Last team who managed to keep clean sheet against Barcelona on their home ground in Champions League Group Stage were Benfica on 5 December 2012, almost 7 years ago. Last team who kept clean sheet at Camp Nou in all stages of Champions League were Juventus in 2016/17 semi-finals on 19 April 2017. Barcelona now haven’t lost in European competition on their home ground for 34 consecutive games. Before the encounter with Slavia the Blaugranas won 30 of them and drew only 3 scoring 101 goals overall.
First points dropped home in 2019/20 season
Last game Barcelona couldn’t win at Camp Nou dates back to 6 February 2019 and 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in Copa del Rey semi-finals. Barca then won 16 consecutive games on their own soil. The 0-0 draw with Slavia on Champions League MD4 thus meant first two points dropped at home in 2019/20 season.
Highest attendance in Slavia modern era
More than 3,000 Slavia fans travelled to Barcelona to watch the game from away sector, several hundreds, maybe thousands were supporting the red-whites from other sections of the stadium. Overall there were 67,023 spectators which means the biggest attendance for any Slavia game in the modern era of the club (from 1990).
