Barcelona vs Antwerp: Former Blaugrana midfielder plotting their European downfall

Spanish giants Barcelona will open their European campaign against Antwerp, with the Blaugrana hoping to erase memories of recent UEFA Champions League failures after being handed a relatively simple group this year. 

Barcelona have crashed out of the group stage twice in succession, but they will be hoping to open the 2023/24 campaign with a win since they take on Antwerp, as opposed to Bayern Munich in their opener. 

The Blaugrana will come up against a familiar face when they welcome Antwerp, who are currently being coached by former Barcelona midfield destroyer Mark Van Bommel. 

Van Bommel played for the Catalan giants for one season, winning the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga titles with them, but will not be pulling his punches when he goes back to his old stomping ground. 

The former Netherlands international has detailed his plans to stop Barcelona, saying, “Barça has one of the best offensive lines in the entire Champions League, in general, the team is excellent. We will focus on defending.”

Van Bommel was named the Belgian manager of the year for the 2022/23 season after claiming a domestic treble, including the Belgian Cup, Belgian Pro League, and Belgian Super Cup in his first season at the club. 

The Dutch manager could put himself on the radar of the Barcelona hierarchy with a solid performance against the Blaugrana with Antwerp, which could lead him to becoming a future candidate for the head coach role in Catalonia.