Mark van Bommel set to be reunited with old friends

The Champions League is back, but with a difference. First, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys will be the venue on Tuesday. And second, the opposition is a team that Barça have never met before in this particular competition, Royal Antwerp.

Just one season... But what a season!

But somebody who is a familiar face is the coach. Mark van Bommel was only at Barça for one season, 2005/06, but it was one of the finest in Barça history. Not only did they win La Liga, but the also won the Champions League in Paris, with the Dutchman a regular starter.

Of the people who Van Bommel will have fond memories of from his year at Barça is none other than the current blaugrana manager Xavi Hernández.

Xavi, Deco and Van Bommel in midfield

Curiously, the two were only on the field together in 11 matches because that was the year when a nasty cruciate ligament injury meant Xavi was out for several months. But someone with whom Van Bommel did share a lot of playing time (24 games) was Deco, now director of sport at Barça, including that memorable night in the French capital.

Rafa Márquez too

Behind them was another player who is now back at Barça in a non-playing role. Mexican Rafa Márquez, now coach of Barça Atlètic, played 21 times in the same line-up as Van Bommel in the Dutchman's year in Catalonia