FC Barcelona face FC Viktoria Plzeň in their first UEFA Champions League match of the 2022/23 season. Expected to be an easy match to get them off the ground in a competition that has haunted their ambitions in the past few years, may not be as one-sided that some presume.
FC Viktoria Plzeň is coming into the match with amazing form, winning five of their six matches in the Czech First League. Drawn in the so-called ‘group of death’, they are not expecting much to come out of their expected short European campaign. However, they have shown enough fighting spirit & confidence to make any team treat them with respect.
Best trio in the league. pic.twitter.com/vLQoX9R5TM
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) September 3, 2022
FC Barcelona, on the other hand, are in a spectacular form of their own - winning three of their four matches in the Spanish League. After an outstanding summer transfer window; signing the likes of Raphinha, Lewandowski & Koundé, many expected them to take some time to click, however, Xavi has managed to glue this team so quickly that they're already second in the league, cruising past teams.
The Champions League is different & for good reason as well: the most prestigious club competition in Europe never ceases to disappoint; form goes out the window when the anthem rings & you get a sense of the big occasion. This year is no longer a transition for FC Barcelona. They are now forced to perform & win after spending such big money & being the talk of the town during the transfer market.
So, how are the teams looking to line up? Especially considering the absolute filled calendar with games every three days & the world cup around the corner. The reports suggest that Xavi will rotate his squad to keep up with the demand & make sure that the squad stays fit.
Dembélé, Araujo, Eric & Gavi are expected to get some rest & get some rest, which may pave the way to Ferran, Christensen, Sergi Roberto & Frenkie De Jong to start the club's first European match this season.
The complete expected starting lineups:
FC Barcelona - Ter Stegen; Roberto, Christensen, Koundé, Balde; Frenkie, Busquets, Pedri; Ferran, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
FC Viktoria Plzeň - Stanek; Holik, Hejda, Pernica, Jemelka; Kalvach, Bucha; Kopic, Sykora, Mosquera; Chory.
It is expected to be an enormous occasion with the Champions League finally returning to a full Camp Nou. The pressure will be on both teams, who will be trying to get their first points on the table & make a strong start, to what is expected to be a thrilling European campaign.
We predict a 3-1 win for FC Barcelona.