Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 3-0 in a La Liga match last Saturday, while the Czech First League outfit secured a narrow 1-0 win over Liberec on the same day.
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Barcelona will host Viktoria Plzen in their opening group match of the Champions League campaign at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night. The hosts had finished second in the La Liga Santander last season to earn a direct qualification into the group stages of Europe’s elite club football competition, while Viktoria Plzen came through the qualifying rounds. Both sides are heading into the match on the back of victories in their respective domestic league matches last Saturday. Barcelona thrashed Sevilla 3-0, while the Czech first League outfit secured a narrow 1-0 win over Liberec.
The @ChampionsLeague is back this week! #BarçaViktoriahttps://t.co/PPc1rItZvX
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 6, 2022
Although Barcelona began their 2022-23 La Liga campaign with a disappointing goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano, the Catalan outfit have been unstoppable since then, recording three consecutive victories to occupy second spot in the standings, with 10 points, two behind the summit. Xavi’s side have scored 11 goals in their last three league games, while conceding just once. In their last match against Sevilla, goals from Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Eric Garcia helped the Blaugrana secure the win.
Plzen, on the other hand, have made an impressive start to their Czech First League title-defence, winning five of their opening six games to be sitting at the second position in the table, level on 16 points with leaders Slavia Praha. In their recent outing against Liberec, Jan sykora’s lone goal in the 41st minute was enough to separate the two sides and secure the win for Plzen. Meanwhile Michal Bilek’s side overcame HJK, Sheriff Tiraspol and Qarabag FK in the qualifying rounds to earn a spot among Europe’s elite.
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Barcelona boss Xavi has a fully-fit squad at his disposal and the Spanish tactician is likely to rotate his squad in order to freshen things up. Andreas Christensen could come into the back-four replacing Eric Garcia. Ferran Torres could join Lewandowski and Raphinha in the front-three. As for Plzen, striker Petr Pejsa is sidelined with a knee injury. Tomas Chory is expected to lead the line with Mosquera, Sykora and Kopic in support.
Barcelona probable starting lineup: Ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde, De Jong, Busquets, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski, F Torres
Viktoria Plzen starting lineup: Stanek, Holik, Hejda, Pernica, Jemelka, Kalvack, Bucha, Kopic, Sykora, Mosquera, Chory
The Champions League match between Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen will take place at Camp Nou on Thursday at 12:30 am IST.
| Barcelona vs Viktoria Plzen | Key details |
| Date | September 7 (Spain) |
| Venue | Cam Nou |
| Kickoff time in Spain | 9:00 pm |
| Kickoff time in Czech Republic | 9:00 pm |
For the football fans in India, the live telecast of the Champions League is available on the Sony Ten network. You can also live stream through SonyLIV App/ website. Besides, the supporters in Spain can watch the match between Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen on Movistar network. Meanwhile, those in Czhech Republic can catch the live action via Nova Sport 3.
