Champions League: For Barcelona, all roads lead to Rome
Catalans take on Roma hoping to break ‘jinx’ by becoming first side to defend crown
Barcelona players train ahead of their clash against AS Roma. PHOTO COURTESY: FCBARCELONA.COM
ROME:
Barcelona arrive in Rome looking to become the first team since AC Milan in 1990 to successfully defend their crown in Europe’s premier tournament; a feat not yet achieved in the Champions League era.
Roma supporters, on the other hand, may be looking ahead to Barcelona’s visit with some trepidation and coach Rudi Garcia certainly does not seem to be bursting with optimism.
The Giallorossi have finished second in Serie A for the last two seasons but there is still a clear gap between themselves and Europe’s elite, despite the addition of Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah.
Barcelona’s visit to the Stadio Olimpico comes just under a year after Roma lost 7-1 at home to Bayern Munich in the same competition. The Bavarians sliced through the Roma defence almost at will as they scored five goals in a bewildering half hour spell in the first half.
Garcia has set his side the minimum target of qualifying for the knockouts behind Barcelona. “The target is to get past the group stage and to the round of 16,” said Garcia. “Behind Barcelona, it is an open group.”
Bayern have treble in mind
Pep Guardiola begins his third Champions League campaign with Bayern Munich knowing that only a repeat of the 2013 victory will sate the Bavarians’ appetite.
The 44-year-old won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011 as Barcelona coach, but in his two seasons with Bayern, the German champions were found wanting at the semi-final stage first by Real Madrid and then by Barcelona last season.
“The main objective is — and remains — winning the Champions League,” said World Cup winner Thomas Muller, who turned 26 on Sunday.
Bayern are unbeaten in their seven games against sides from Greece in the Champions League and the five-time winners have won their opening games in Europe for the last 11 successive campaigns.
However, they are taking nothing for granted. “For Olympiakos, this is a big game, they will be very aggressive and will give their all,” said Germany defender Jerome Boateng. “We have to be very focused and show from the outset that we want to win.”
Chance for Chelsea to end slump
Out-of-sorts Chelsea have a golden opportunity to restore battered self-confidence when they face Maccabi Tel Aviv in their opening Group G match.
The Premier League champions slumped to their fourth defeat in six games when they lost 3-1 at Everton on Saturday.
Manager Jose Mourinho said he was under no pressure after the match but earlier admitted the poor run of results were the worst of his career.
Chelsea take on the Israeli double winners having lost their last two league matches. The Londoners will again be without injured keeper Thibaut Courtois who was outstanding when they won the Premier League last season.
The Blues may have to deal with a determined side if they are to open their European account with a win. “We are fully aware of the difference in levels between us and Chelsea but we are not going there to surrender with our hands up,” said midfielder Gal Alberman. “We will do all we can to get a good result.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2015.
Barcelona arrive in Rome looking to become the first team since AC Milan in 1990 to successfully defend their crown in Europe’s premier tournament; a feat not yet achieved in the Champions League era.
Roma supporters, on the other hand, may be looking ahead to Barcelona’s visit with some trepidation and coach Rudi Garcia certainly does not seem to be bursting with optimism.
The Giallorossi have finished second in Serie A for the last two seasons but there is still a clear gap between themselves and Europe’s elite, despite the addition of Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah.
Barcelona’s visit to the Stadio Olimpico comes just under a year after Roma lost 7-1 at home to Bayern Munich in the same competition. The Bavarians sliced through the Roma defence almost at will as they scored five goals in a bewildering half hour spell in the first half.
Garcia has set his side the minimum target of qualifying for the knockouts behind Barcelona. “The target is to get past the group stage and to the round of 16,” said Garcia. “Behind Barcelona, it is an open group.”
Bayern have treble in mind
Pep Guardiola begins his third Champions League campaign with Bayern Munich knowing that only a repeat of the 2013 victory will sate the Bavarians’ appetite.
The 44-year-old won the Champions League in 2009 and 2011 as Barcelona coach, but in his two seasons with Bayern, the German champions were found wanting at the semi-final stage first by Real Madrid and then by Barcelona last season.
“The main objective is — and remains — winning the Champions League,” said World Cup winner Thomas Muller, who turned 26 on Sunday.
Bayern are unbeaten in their seven games against sides from Greece in the Champions League and the five-time winners have won their opening games in Europe for the last 11 successive campaigns.
However, they are taking nothing for granted. “For Olympiakos, this is a big game, they will be very aggressive and will give their all,” said Germany defender Jerome Boateng. “We have to be very focused and show from the outset that we want to win.”
Chance for Chelsea to end slump
Out-of-sorts Chelsea have a golden opportunity to restore battered self-confidence when they face Maccabi Tel Aviv in their opening Group G match.
The Premier League champions slumped to their fourth defeat in six games when they lost 3-1 at Everton on Saturday.
Manager Jose Mourinho said he was under no pressure after the match but earlier admitted the poor run of results were the worst of his career.
Chelsea take on the Israeli double winners having lost their last two league matches. The Londoners will again be without injured keeper Thibaut Courtois who was outstanding when they won the Premier League last season.
The Blues may have to deal with a determined side if they are to open their European account with a win. “We are fully aware of the difference in levels between us and Chelsea but we are not going there to surrender with our hands up,” said midfielder Gal Alberman. “We will do all we can to get a good result.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2015.