Xavi with some last minute instructions for Frenkie de Jong. (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Barcelona set to rotate in Champions League opener
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez talks with Jordi Alba at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on September 3, 2022 in Sevilla Spain (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Following the 3-0 win against Sevilla over the weekend, Barcelona now turn their attention away from LaLiga and towards Europe.
The Champions League group stage is upon us, meaning the Catalan side have an opportunity to do a couple of things.
One, to bounce back after a horrible showing last season where they failed to make it out of the group stage and, two, the chance to give other players playing time.
Manager Xavi Hernandez is expected to rotate his side in the opener against Viktoria Plzen. According to Mundo Deportivo, some of the players expected to be given a rest include Gavi, Ousmane Dembele, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia — the latter was subbed off against Sevilla after picking up a knock.
This presents a chance for the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen and Ferran Torres to start on Wednesday.
De Jong has been a substitute in every match except for the one against Real Sociedad. He was responsible for La Real’s equalizer but had a decent performance overall. Kessie has not played much at all so unless Xavi also plans to rest either Sergio Busquets or Pedri, he is going to have to make a choice between the two.
Christensen was a starter up until Barcelona were able to register Jules Kounde. He’s likely to partner the French center-back against Viktoria Plzen. The former Chelsea man has done well so far.
With the wealth of options up front, Ferran Torres has only seen minutes as a substitute. He’s working his way back as an injury kept him out of Barcelona’s preseason. The lack of match fitness has been evident in the minutes he’s been given and he needs to play to shake off that rust. The club is still being careful with Ansu Fati so it is no surprise his name hasn’t been mentioned as a possible starter.
In addition to the rotations, Barcelona might give a debut to Hector Bellerin as well as Marcos Alonso should Alejandro Balde be rested.
In contrast to last season, the Catalans have quality options off the bench to ensure they can field a competitive team without a noticeable dip from the starters. In no way are they taking Viktoria Plzen for granted.
They know all too well that any opponent can cause them troubles. They only scored two goals in the Champions League last season and struggled against Dynamo Kyiv, who finished bottom of the group.
The plan is for the rotations to freshen up the team and give some players a rest. It is going to be a long season both domestically and in Europe. With how difficult their group is, Barcelona know they need to get off to a strong start and cannot afford to take any opponent lightly.
