MX23RW : Wednesday, February 15 16:49:44| >> :60:712:712:
[monks data]
Nov 1, 2022 at 8pm UK at Doosan Arena
Plzen
2 - 4
Barcelona
Chory (51' pen., 63')
N'Diaye (47')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Alonso (6'), Torres (44', 54'), Torre (75')
Gavi (42'), Torre (50'), Torres (90+2')

Barcelona round off disappointing Champions League campaign with win in Plzen

Barcelona round off disappointing Champions League campaign with win in Plzen
© Reuters
Barcelona exit the Champions League at the group stage despite a 4-2 win away at Viktoria Plzen.

Barcelona bowed out of the UEFA Champions League with a win over Viktoria Plzen in a thrilling encounter that ended 4-2 in favour of the visitors at the Doosan Arena.

A double from Ferran Torres helped the much changed Catalonian side to success in the Czech Republic.

Xavi's side were given a few scares in the second half though, as despite having a huge proportion of the ball, they allowed Plzen to score twice and to significantly out-shoot them over the 90 minutes.

The match had no bearing on the outcome of the group though, as Barca were already condemned to Europa League football in the New Year.

With nothing riding on the game, Xavi made nine changes to the side which beat Valencia at the weekend, as players such as Robert Lewandowski were given a rest in preparation for the tie with Almeria on Saturday.

Pablo Torre was given a first ever start for the club and had a very mixed night, giving away a penalty before scoring the clinching fourth goal late on.

Marcos Alonso got the ball rolling with a very scrappy goal in the opening 10 minutes before Torres got his first of the night just before the break, with the help of VAR after the linesman had wrongly flagged Jordi Alba offside in the build up.

However, with nothing to lose, Viktoria Plzen came out of the traps fast in the second half and were by far the better team after the break, as Tomas Chory twice pulled Plzen back into the game after going two goals down.

However, after another fantastic through ball from Raphinha, who was excellent all night, set Torre on his way one-on-one, the 19-year-old made no mistake and sealed the win for Barca, becoming the second-youngest Champions League goalscorer for the club.

While Barca finished third, Plzen end the group with zero points in what was a devilishly difficult group for the Czech outfit.

Overall, it is a result that will probably not tell Xavi much about his team given how many changes were made and the level of opposition, but the performances of Raphinha and Torres, who have fallen somewhat out of favour, will be encouraging.

Since Lionel Messi left the club in 2021, Barcelona have only won four of their 12 Champions League matches, twice to Dynamo Kiev and twice to tonight's opponents, and they have gone out at this stage on both occasions.

Falling into the Europa League last season did not bring them much success either though, as eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt knocked them out in the quarter-finals.

They now face a potentially tricky preliminary knockout round tie in the Europa League, with sides like Manchester United, Roma and Lazio being possible opponents.

Plzen will turn their attentions solely to domestic matters as they aim to win their first title since 2017-18, and have a crunch fixture against Sparta Prague at the weekend.

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How you voted: Plzen vs Barcelona

Viktoria Plzen
12.5%
Draw
11.7%
Barcelona
75.8%
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Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring for Barcelona on October 12, 2022
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2Real Madrid20143340172345
3Real Sociedad21133531211042
4Atletico MadridAtletico21115530171338
5Real BetisBetis2110472722534
6Rayo Vallecano219662823533
7Athletic Bilbao219573122932
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13Real ValladolidValladolid2173111528-1324
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15Almeria2164112534-922
16CadizCadiz215791733-1622
17Espanyol214982633-721
18Valencia2155112626020
19Getafe2147101828-1019
20ElcheElche2016131540-259

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