Barcelona embarking for Champions League

After a disappointing last year, with no major wins and lack of Lionel Messi-Neymar chemistry in the field, Barça fans were disappointed; even when injuries was not a problem, the lethal partnership was not working and were unable of scoring goals.

But after the 2-0 Bilbao win at home, things may be different this year. When Neymar jumped to the field for the final half hour, the chemistry with Messi was there and after a perfect two perfect assists from Messi, the Brazilian scored both Barcelona goals to victory, maintaining the perfect season start with three wins and no goals conceded.

Luis Enrique is expecting the same link with both players for the Champions League Group F first match against Cypriot Apoel Nicosia.

Luis Enrique, former Barça and Spain national team midfielder, took over Gerardo Martino expecting to improve the last year elimination from Champions League by Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals.

Having spent a lot during the transfer window to bring Luis Suarez, midfielder Ivan Rakitic and Jeremy Mathieu.

After this La Liga season perfect start, the defense problems that the team had last year seems to be resolved and hopes are high for the club in all competitions.

Pedro told on on news conference that getting to the Champions League final is this year goal, after the shame last season, he also said to the press that coach told them to have a high pressure in all the pitch, steal balls and to keep it.

Also, there is good news, as injured defenders Dani Alves and Thomas Vermaelen had been training with their teammates. Alves missed Bilbao’s game with a knee problem and Vermaelen, after joining from Arsean, had Hamstring strain. Still there is no world on Javier Mascherano after taking a boot to the head.

Apoel reached in 2011/12 his best Champions League result after reaching quarter-finals, this was also its last appearance in the European competition. This is the first time that both teams face each other and it seems a difficult task for the Cypriots at the Camp Nou, since the Catalonian team has only lost one match at home from the last 27 games.