'NOW OR NEVER' FOR BARÇA

Barça begins its 'vindication' in the Champions League against 'modest' Antwerp

Published:18/09/2023 - 20:56h

Updated:19/09/2023 - 14:11h

FC Barcelona returns to the Champions League with the desire to redeem itself and leave behind the bad streak in the competition. The Royal Antwerp, this Tuesday from 9:00 p.m., is the first obstacle for Xavi Hernández's teamFC Barcelona returns to the Champions League with the desire to redeem itself and leave behind the bad streak in the competition. The Royal Antwerp, this Tuesday from 9:00 p.m., is the first obstacle for Xavi Hernández's team

It goes back the Champions League and the maximum competitiveness. It goes up the curtain of the most important competition to level of clubs with the 'promise that in the next nueves months the passion, tension and requirement will be maximum for the 32 teams that, from this Tuesday 19 September, initiate his way to try be in the final of Wembley. A dream of many, but that it will be a reality only for two teams.

For the FC Barcelona is a special appointment in a season in which it has demanded him to the team step forward in Europe, after two marked courses by the disappointments. Further that they have not reached some semifinals from 2019, the last two years have been marked by the early eliminations in the phase of groups... A situation that can not repeat again.

The aim, as it recognised Xavi Hernández, is to happen to the eighth of final like first of group. In paper, would have to be a simple task for the Barcelona group, that has remained placed with the Royal Amberes, Shakthar Donetsk and Port wine, but if there is something true in the Champions League is that there is not at all writing and it is necessary 'sweat' each point. The debut in front of the Belgian picture, this Tuesday 19 September dese the 21:00 hours (9:00 PM CEST), will be key.

The Barça receives to the Royal Amberes

The way of the blaugrana in Europe will begin this Tuesday home. The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Compannys will receive the first duel between Barça and Royal Amberes with which will remain inagurada the first day of the group H. It supposes the first European participation of the Belgian group since in the season 2019/2020 participated in the Europe League. In the League of Champions, did not participate from 65 years ago.

Barça and Amberes had confronted once in the second round of the Glass of Fairs of the campaign 1965/1966. The Belgian won 2-1 in the Camp Nou, but in the turn in Belgium imposed the blaugrana by 0-2 thanks to the goals of Rifé and Zaballa. They finished carrying the title in this edition.

Amberes, a team 'youngster' in training

In the previous, has argued a lot the importance that has had the ex culé Mark go Bommel, the one who is in his second season to the control of the bench and has revolutionised tácticamente to the team, until the point that they have arrived the titles of League, Glass and Supercopa. It has turned him into a team that likes him do with the leadership and that does not hide to the hour to attack.

They have been a lot of the protagonists in the team, as it is the case of Toby Alderweireld, in the defence, and Vincent Janssen, in the attack, those who have turned into two of the referents of the team, without forgetting to Arthur Vermeeren that has turned into one of the most striking midfield players of the project of the Belgian group. It is one of the most explosive players, but with an infinite tactical intelligence, of the First Division of Belgium.

The Barça, with the majority of his available staff

To exception of Pedri González and Ronald Araújo, Xavi Hernández will have all his staff for a crash that will not be simple and that will force to the blaugrana to show his more efficient version. In the last days has insisted in what it nail that they will be the rotations of players, but everything seems to indicate to that the trainer will bet by his XI of gala with some modifications. It knows very well that in the Champions League can not trust and that they have to go to 101%.