The Champions League returns and Barcelona are one of the few big sides who have something to prove and a victory being something of a necessity against Young Boys, after a first-gameweek defeat to Monaco leaves them pointless so far – but with plenty of time left to secure themselves a play-off berth at the very least.
By Karl Matchett
It’s an undeniable fact of the new format that, even as early as it is in the league phase, it appears the big clubs will find it even easier to progress: with an estimated ten points from eight games enough to secure a play-off berth, league-stage exits would take more than a handful of shock results for a club as big as Barcelona to fail to make it through past January.
Even so, after such a good start domestically in LaLiga, Hansi Flick will be wanting Barca to show their quality on the European stage too – not least of all because of the increased financial rewards which can come as a result of winning games there. Their defeat in Monaco came as a result of defensive mistakes and an early red card for Eric García; with the defender suspended and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen sidelined for the season, plenty of changes will be enforced from that first outing. Indeed, the German boss has almost a full XI unavailable including the likes of Dani Olmo, Gavi and Ronald Araújo – and as their weekend defeat at Osasuna showed, that might be starting to make a telling difference.
Barcelona’s starting side there contained six players aged 22 and under, while of the 12 named subs, just two were over 21. There’s little scope for refreshing the team, which might have Young Boys thinking they’ve a chance of an upset.
Following the Swiss side’s 3-0 thrashing by Aston Villa, though, it would be a huge upset indeed if they were to take a point, particularly as even in the Swiss Super League they’ve been dismal – one win in eight, they sit 11th in the 12-team division.
The encounter really will be about how long they can hold out against constant Barcelona pressure and possession, and for Flick then, once the breakthrough comes it must be about managing minutes, offering experience and simply getting the job done. Much tougher tests lie ahead – Bayern Munich next European gameweek – and while points are a must, so too is protecting the players he has left.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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