Viktoria Plzen Meets Giants Again in Champions League Return

Four years ago, Real Madrid won 5-0 at Plzen and 2-1 in Spain.

All three previous campaigns looked like mission impossible but Plzen each time managed to finish third, securing at least a spot in the second-tier Europa League. It claimed a valuable 2-1 victory over Roma in 2018 and a 2-2 draw with AC Milan in 2011.

But to emulate at least the partial success of the previous campaigns might be too hard to handle for Viktoria. With three multiple Champions League winners to play, their Group C is a true “group of death.”

Horváth, currently an assistant to coach Michal Bílek, believes his team is now ready to surprise the favorites.

In its first match at Camp Nou, defending will be key, he said.

“I think that the current Plzen team defends very well, and the way we do it might not be comfortable for Barcelona,” Horváth said.

In 2011, Barcelona’s lineup included Xavi Hernández, the current coach who is rebuilding the club with a goal to become as dominant as it was when he was on the pitch.

Horváth expects a similar game “with lots of short passes, and a pressure imposed on us when they lose the ball. Those are the key features, and, of course, also the individual skills of the players.”

“To face (Robert) Lewandowski, it´s always a threat and he´s not alone,” Horváth said. “Above all, Raphinha is a huge boost” for Barcelona.

“But I´m looking forward (to playing Barcelona) and believe our guys will be more successful than we were,” he said.

Plzen eliminated Helsinki, Tiraspol and Qarabag in the qualifying to reach the group stage of the Champions League for the fourth time.