The Champions League is back! One of the favourites for the trophy this year, Barcelona, entertain PSV Eindhoven who are back in the competition after a short hiatus.
Ex-Barca midfielder, Mark Van Bommel, is now the coach of the Dutch side, but he won’t be afforded a decent welcome after the way in which he consistently scythed down Andres Iniesta in the 2010 World Cup final.
That same win-at-all-costs mentality will have been drummed into his players, and this is unlikely to be an easy night’s work for the Blaugrana.
Home advantage could be a factor, but as Huesca showed on their visit to the Camp Nou, score early and the cavernous amphitheatre that is the Camp Nou because an awfully inhospitable place for the hosts.
Let’s take a look at three things that could decide the outcome.
No rotation from Valverde
He’s been criticised for not rotating his first-choice XI, though when Ernesto Valverde did so against Real Sociedad at the weekend, he was criticised then too.
This game does afford the coach the opportunity to change things around, but Barcelona will want to start their group stage off in the best possible way, which means no deviation from the strongest XI on paper.
Philippe Coutinho will make his debut for the club in the competition, and all of the usual suspects – Messi, Suarez, Dembele, Pique, Busquets et al – will start the game, even if they don’t finish it.
All-out attack from PSV
Though it’s often said if you try to play football against Barcelona they’ll destroy you, there’s simply no way Van Bommel will have his troops sitting back and inviting the Blaugrana to attack.
The best form of defence is attack, and the Eredivisie league leaders are in incredible goalscoring form.
Thirteen goals in their last two games is evidence enough that they are a potent force when going forward.
Like Barcelona they’ve won every game played this season, and in Hirving Lozano, they’ve one of Dutch football’s most exciting talents.
Interestingly, the Mexican did profess a willingness to play for Barcelona in the future at his pre-match press conference!
Viergever the weak link/Suarez to mark his 50th UCL appearance
Fortunately for Van Bommel, his back line haven’t really been tested so far this season, but we can be assured that Barcelona will change that.
The hosts will target Nick Viergever from the first whistle, knowing that he is the weak link in PSV’s back four.
With Luis Suarez comfortable in playing in the channel between Viergever and left-back Angelino, there’s some certainty that the Uruguayan’s nous will see him on the score sheet in what is his 50th Champions League appearance.
