Barca hopeful of CL revival as Arsenal shift focus to Atalanta

Approaching a decade since Barcelona last won the Champions League, the Catalan giants face Monaco in this season’s European opener on Thursday aiming to make a statement.

The club are desperate to battle their way back into the European elite after years in the wilderness and after a strong start under new coach Hansi Flick, their hopes are rising.

There were some signs they were on the right track in Europe last season when they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.

After a 3-2 win at Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg they collapsed at home after Ronald Araujo was sent off in the first half with Barca leading by a goal.

PSG netted three times to oust Xavi Hernandez’s side 6-4 on aggregate and the coach was sacked at the end of a disappointing trophyless season.

Flick’s Barcelona have five wins from five in La Liga and have Spain’s teenage Euro 2024 star Lamine Yamal playing a decisive role in their attack.

The winger has developed at an alarming rate since making his Barcelona debut aged just 15 in April 2023.

Now 17, Yamal struck twice as Barcelona thrashed Girona 4-1 in the league on Sunday, avenging two heavy defeats by their fellow Catalans last season and demonstrating the team’s early progress.

“Lamine is a difference-maker... for me, he is already one of the best players in the world at 17 years of age,” said admiring Girona coach Michel Sanchez.

“It is difficult to imagine that after (Lionel) Messi another one would come along, but I hope that Lamine keeps improving because he’s a player than can reach that level.”

Even though comparisons to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, Barcelona’s best ever player, pile pressure on Yamal, they keep flooding in.

Yamal’s emergence is yet another feather in the cap of the club’s feted La Masia youth academy and as shown on the way to glory with Spain in Germany this summer, he can make the difference for his team in any match.

The winger already has three goals and four assists this season, well on the way of matching his tally of 12 goal contributions last term.

Barcelona are still stricken by economic difficulties, signing only Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig this summer and struggling for a few weeks to register him with La Liga, but they have an immediate superstar in Yamal.

Defender Pau Cubarsi, also 17, is another from La Masia playing at a high level, along with other homegrown squad members like Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado and Gavi, who is on the comeback trail after a long-term injury.

The emergence of these players can help Barca battle with the continent’s best on a more even footing despite their financial handcuffs.

Jorginho has challenged Arsenal to use their Champions League opener against Atalanta on Thursday as a springboard to success in their crucial clash with Manchester City this weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side are in the midst of a demanding seven days that started with a 1-0 victory at Tottenham in the north London derby last Sunday.

The Gunners now head to Atalanta to kick off their European campaign before Sunday’s vital trip to Premier League champions City.

Arsenal’s daunting schedule was made trickier by the absence against Tottenham of key midfielders Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard due to suspension and injury, respectively.

But, with Jorginho filling in admirably for Rice, Arsenal ground out their third win in four league games this term thanks to Gabriel Magalhaes’ second-half header.

Rice should be back in the starting line-up against Atalanta, but Arteta is still waiting to discover when skipper Odegaard will be able to return from the ankle problem he suffered on Norway duty.

The fixture list has not been kind to Arsenal, with City having an extra 24 hours rest before the seismic showdown at the Etihad Stadium.

City face Inter Milan at home on Wednesday, with Arsenal having to travel to Italy for their game a day later.

However, Italian veteran Jorginho believes a positive performance and result at Atalanta will pave the way for more of the same against City.

Agence France-Presse