Barcelona capped off their Champions League campaign with a 4-2 victory over Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Blaugrana entered the game with nothing more than pride on the line after their drop to the Europa League was confirmed last week, while Plzen were guaranteed to finish bottom
As a result, Xavi fielded several youngsters in his starting XI, with Barcelona opening the scoring after just six minutes.
While not one of those youngsters, Marcos Alonso scored his first career goal in the competition, Ansu Fati‘s strike from distance proving too hot for Jindrich Stanek, with the Spaniard sliding in to score from close range.
Plzen supporters were vocal in supporting the home side but their spirits were dampened just before the half when the Blaugrana doubled their lead.
Jordi Alba burst down the left and chipped a ball over the top that found Ferran Torres in the middle to ram home. Initially ruled offside, the goal was later given following a VAR review.
The home side were handed a lifeline when Pablo Torre fouled Tomas Chory in the penalty area, with the 27-year-old striker stepping up to fire home past Inaki Pena.
Barcelona restored their two-goal advantage minutes later, Ferran Torres combining with Raphinha after a wonderful run before sending his first-time effort through the legs of Stanek.
Plzen made things interesting, Chory heading home his second of the night in the 63rd minute, before Barcelona wrapped up proceedings with 15 minutes remaining.
A great ball from Raphinha set up Pablo Torre, who fired home his first Barcelona and Champions League goal after some expert control and a delightful finish.
Plzen came close to scoring a third in the closing stages, but Erik Jirka‘s strike was expertly saved by Inaki Pena, before touching the upright.
Europa League aim
With Barcelona ending their Champions League campaign in style, coach Xavi has stated the club’s aim is now to win the Europa League.
“The overall evaluation of our group campaign has to be negative,” Xavi said after the game.
“We had qualification in our own hands and didn’t manage it. We didn’t take our opportunities.
“Now we are candidates for the Europa League. it’s a beautiful competition and we will fight to win it.
“First half I liked how we played. Even so we conceded too many goal chances to them. Defensively we are suffering more than normal. In attack we were good.
“Young Pablo [Torre] played well. For him and the attacking midfielders it was a difficult match they had to attack spaces and that’s not his primary strength.
“He’s got other notably qualities but he fully understood what the match required, scored our fourth and then went off but we feel it’s going to be muscle-cramp and not more.”
