“If you don’t get goosebumps thinking about this match, then there’s something wrong with you,” said Nico Willig with a grin as he looked ahead to what awaits his team on Wednesday. A sold-out stadium, a knockout tie against one of the biggest clubs in the world and the chance to make history - this UEFA Youth League quarter-final between the respective U19s of VfB and Barcelona has it all.
Aiming for the ‘Final Four’ in Nyon
At 16:00 CEST in the GAZi-Stadion auf der Waldau, the young lads from Cannstatt will have a chance to write another chapter in this incredible story that has taken them all across Europe in their debut campaign in this competition. They also have the opportunity to become only the third German team to make the Youth League semi-finals, after Schalke 04 in 2014 and TSG Hoffenheim in 2019. The ‘Final Four’ in Nyon, Switzerland, at the end of April is just one win away.
“Massive match”
“It’ll be a special day and a massive match,” said U19s coach Willig, who is far from overawed by the history and trophy cabinet of their opponents. “We’ll be looking to flex our muscles. We know that this match will be a challenge, but we also know that we’re not that far off their level.”
Convincing performances in previous rounds against Liverpool and Sporting Lisbon have seen the side grow in confidence. “The self-belief that we’ve built up over those games is something we need to carry over into this tie,” he added. “If we show up on the day, we’ll be able to hold our own and maybe create an upset – and that’s exactly what we’re aiming to do!”
“Incredible ability”
That won’t be easy, given the sheer class of Barcelona. “They’re a well-oiled machine, balanced, technically strong, patient and they have incredible ability in possession,” the coach said, before adding that the Catalan giants do have an Achilles heel. “If you put them under pressure, they can start to crack. Their opponents in the last 16, Aston Villa, caused them a few problems. We’ll have to be proactive but also make sure that we defend well if we’re going to match their quality. That’s what makes this match so appealing.”