BARCELONA – VIKTORIA PLZEN | Wednesday 9pm
The memory of last season’s disaster is still fresh in Barcelona. For the first time in over 20 years, the blaugrana were unable to get past the group stage of the Champions League. They finished third in the group with Bayern Munich, Benfica and Dinamo Kiev and faced a humiliating relegation to minor Europe. In Catalonia, they are now trying to start a new cycle and file away as soon as possible a failed year in almost every respect, from Leo Messi’s farewell to the tribulations with Koeman on the bench. Xavi seems to have restored Barça’s identity and given the team a precise physiognomy but this year a leap in quality is also expected from him, as the squad he has at his disposal is clearly of another level.
In spite of the difficult economic situation, Barcelona’s ownership has been one of the big players in the summer market, bringing to Camp Nou players of absolute value such as Lewandowski, Kessié, Christensen, Raphinha, Marcos Alonso and Koundé. The impact of the former Bayern Munich goal scorer has been astounding. In four La Liga games, the 34-year-old Polish striker has already scored a staggering five goals, proving that he is a relentless sniper even in a completely different and less run-in context.
Barça have so far totalled three wins and a draw, and in the last round they scrambled Sevilla (0-4) at home. Having found themselves in the most complicated group on paper – there are also Bayern Munich and Inter Milan – the Blaugrana will have to win against what is likely to be the tail end of the table, Viktoria Plzen. The Czechs’ fate appears sealed and the only objective in this iron grouping is to try to limit the damage. In the qualifiers they overcame tough opponents such as Sheriff Tiraspol and Qarabag and will play against the three European big names with the serenity of those who have nothing to lose.
Jirka and Mosquera of Viktoria Plzen
The Prediction
Barcelona’s victory should not be in question. Xavi has found in Lewandowski the kind of goalscorer he lacked last season and the results are there for all to see. Let’s assume a wide success for the Catalans, who will close both halves of the game in the lead: the total goals, on the night of the Camp Nou, will most likely be at least three.
Barcelona v Viktoria Plzen matchday squad
- BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Koundé, Piqué, Jordi Alba; de Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Dembélé, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati.
- VIKTORIA PLZEN (4-2-3-1): Staněk; Havel, Hejda, Pernica, Jemelka; Kalvach, Bucha; Sýkora, Vlkanova, Mosquera; Chorý.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-0
