FC Barcelona made a huge gamble this transfer window, selling off lots of key assets in order to finance their big summer shopping spree. Looks like it might have backfired, as Barca failed to reach the Champions League knockout round this season. Again.
They still need to play out the string however, and thus Group C match day six of six is imminent. On Tuesday, Barca will take on the other team in the grouping that is also eliminated, Viktoria Plzen. Let’s preview this piece of dead rubber!
Viktoria Plzen vs FC Barcelona Champions League Group Stage FYIs
Kick Off: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, at 8pm UK at Doosan Arena
Competition: Group C, Match Day 6 of 6
FC Barcelona Team News: go here
After Extra Time Pod: Spotify Apple
Google Result Probability: FC Barcelona 77% Viktoria Plzen 9% Draw 14%
While there will certainly be plenty of squad rotation, and some bench guys getting in the game, we also expect Xavi to field a team with some strength in it.
We might see the Catalan Club’s No. 1, Gerard Pique, Pedri, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
Here’s the rest of the squad we’re predicting.
FC Barcelona Starting XI Prediction at Viktoria Plzen
Ter Stegen; Bellerin, Pique, Alonso, Balde; Gavi, Kessie, Pedri; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres
Paul M. Banks is the Owner/Manager of The Sports Bank and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly contributed to WGN News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.
