Barcelona head to the Czech Republic on Wednesday night to face off with Champions League Group F rival Slavia Prague. The Catalans head into matchday 3 with four points from six having claimed a win over Inter Milan and a draw against Borussia Dortmund.
Slavia Prague have taken one point from six possible. Following a 1-1 draw at the San Siro against Inter Milan, they lost to Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on matchday 2. Now, the Czech team aims to take a major scalp against Barcelona. Can they do it?
Barcelona may not be hitting their stride this season but they are atop La Liga after nine matches. The Blaugrana have won four straight league matches and sit one point ahead of Real Madrid. After nine matches, no team has really taken La Liga by the scruff of the neck.
Manager Ernesto Valverde has had to deal with a number of injuries at Camp Nou this season. Players are beginning to get healthy now as Barcelona’s season picks up pace.
Lionel Messi is back in the team full-time after missing the start of the season. Messi has played just four games in La Liga this term but did score against Eibar at the weekend.
COMING RIGHT UP!Barça's final workout before traveling to the Czech Republic for Wednesday's clash with @slavia_eng!LIVE STREAM ▶️ https://t.co/eAe17RnbK3 pic.twitter.com/Rn71TZY1Fi— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 22, 2019
COMING RIGHT UP!Barça's final workout before traveling to the Czech Republic for Wednesday's clash with @slavia_eng!LIVE STREAM ▶️ https://t.co/eAe17RnbK3 pic.twitter.com/Rn71TZY1Fi
While Messi is back in the team, Barcelona have injury issues in other positions. Centre-back Samuel Umtiti returned from a foot injury at the weekend against Eibar. He played the full 90 minutes.
Left-back Jordi Alba was also included in the side after overcoming his own injury issues. Full-back Junior Firpo did not play at the weekend as he continues to shake off a muscle injury. Defender Carles Perez also returned at the weekend for Barcelona, but did not make it onto the pitch, however.
Slavia Prague are atop the Czech Liga with 35 points from 39 possible. Manager Jindřich Trpišovský knows he has a big task on his hands. He will hope his side can play as it did against Inter Milan while Barcelona’s stars have an off night.
Barcelona have multiple ways to defeat Slavia Prague. Barcelona’s most in-form player heading into the Champions League clash is Antoine Griezmann who has four goals in La Liga and scored at the weekend.
Luis Suarez has received plenty of criticism from fans but leads Barcelona in goals. He tallied two against Inter Milan on Champions League matchday 2.
Barcelona should get past Slavia Prague will little issue on Wednesday night. The Catalans will win to nil away with Slavia Prague failing to mount much of an attack. Can Suarez bag another goal in the Champions League? He is good value to score against the Czech Liga leaders.