Barça to kick off its Spanish League participation with a big game against Villareal

Barcelona (FCB).- Following on from the win in Monaco, the Spanish League Champions start their defence of the title with the visit of Villarreal, following the cancellation of last week’s scheduled opener (due to the League players’ strike), and begin the campaign to equal the Dream Team’s record of four successive league titles. Pep Guardiola, FC Barcelona’s manager, faces a defensive headache because of injuries and suspensions.

Defensive doubts

Pep Guardiola, who was the playmaker in that 1990s team, faces a difficult situation at the back, with five players missing – the injured Puyol, Piqué, Adriano and Maxwell and the suspended Alves. Abidal and Fontàs are the only defenders available, with the boss needing to call on the versatility of some of his other players.

Afellay is also injured and Sunday’s training session was made up with B team players Sergi Roberto, Dos Santos, Cuenca and Bartra, who may be given an opportunity. The game could also see Alexis Sanchez make his Camp Nou debut.

Villarreal into Champions League

Villarreal come into the game with their first objective for the season met –getting through the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. They lost a number of top players, such as Capdevila and Cazorla, over the summer, whilst holding on to strikers Nilmar and Rossi and bringing Zapata and Camuñas, as well as César – who is suspended for Monday’s game along with Mario.