Former Manchester City FC defender, Joleon Lescott, has predicted a difficult outing for FC Barcelona should they face Arsenal FC in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League this season.
Both European giants are on course for a last-four meeting if they successfully navigate their respective quarter-final fixtures. Arsenal are set to face Sporting CP, while Barcelona will battle Atletico Madrid for a place in the semi-finals.
The Gunners secured their quarter-final spot after overcoming Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16, while Barcelona advanced past Newcastle United.
Speaking in an interview with TNT Sports, Lescott expressed confidence in Arsenal’s ability to exploit Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities in a potential two-legged semi-final clash.
“I would not say so just because of the way they defend,” Lescott said while assessing Barcelona’s chances of winning the competition.
He added that Arsenal’s compact structure, combined with their attacking quality, could pose serious challenges for the Spanish side.
“I think a more compact team like Arsenal, and with the offensive talent that they have, will cause Barca a lot of problems because I still think there are frailties in their defensive line,” he noted.
Despite his concerns, Lescott acknowledged Barcelona’s strengths, particularly their attacking flair and dominance at home, which he believes still gives them a fighting chance over two legs.
A potential meeting between both clubs would rekindle memories of the 2006 Champions League final, adding further intrigue to what could be a high-stakes European showdown.