PREVIEW | FC Viktoria Plzeň v FC Barcelona

Sadly, FC Barcelona have failed to make it through to the last sixteen of this season’s Champions League. However, they are at least ensured the consolation of a place in the Europa League, and that’s regardless of the outcome of the final game in Group C, which kicks off at 9pm CEST.

It means that today’s match at the 11,722 capacity Doosan Arena in the city of Plzeň, home of FC Viktoria is something of a non-event, with both teams ultimately having nothing but pride to play for.

Form guide

Barça put their European woes behind them on Saturday by winning away to Valencia in dramatic fashion, with Robert Lewandowski nabbing the only goal of the game in injury time. To add to the good news, leaders Real Madrid slipped to an unexpected draw at home to Girona, meaning that the gap at the top of the Liga table has been narrowed to just one point.

Viktoria have failed to take a single point from their first five Champions League matches, and also suffered a shock exit from the Czech Cup at the hands of third tier FC Hlučín. However, their league form is still well on track, where they are currently four points clear of second placed Slavia Prague with a game in hand.

Team news

As well as the already injured Andreas Christensen, Memphis and Ronald Araujo, Xavi's problems increased with both Eric García and Jules Kounde now out of action as well. He has also opted to rest Robert Lewandowski for this game due to a back problem.

A number of Barça Atlétic players have been included in the squad, namely Ilias Akhomach, Marc Casadó, Alex Valle, Álvaro Sanz and Arnau Tenas. 

Xavi says

The FC Barcelona manager reiterated before the game that although their is nothing st stake in this game, FC Barcelona have travelled to the Czech Republic with only one idea in mind. Winning.

Defender Hector Bellerin also spoke to the press about Tuesday's game, describing 'motivation' as a key factor in this one:

Did you know?

This the eighth time that Barça has visited the Czech Republic in a European competition, but the first time that they have ever played outside of Prague. Although Barça played away to Viktoria in 1911, that game was moved to the capital city.

Since losing to Sparta 1-0 in 1992 (the year they went on to lift the trophy for the first time), Barça have visited the Czech Republic three times (to play Sparta, Viktoria and Slavia) and have won each time.

In three previous meetings Viktoria, Barça have scored 11 goals and conceded just one. When they met in the Czech Republic in 2011, Leo Messi scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win. There was also a hat-trick earlier this season at Spotify Camp Nou, this time from Lewandowski in a 5-1 win, with Kessie and Torres getting the others.

The most goals a team has ever conceded in a Champions League group is 24. Viktoria have already conceded 20 in 2022/23, so if Barça score more than four on Tuesday, the Czechs will set a record they would rather avoid.