Barca seek swift response against Celtic after Alaves shock
 

BARCELONA: Barcelona are eyeing their Champions League opener against Celtic on Tuesday (today) as a chance to make amends for their shock 2-1 defeat at home to La Liga newcomers Alaves on Saturday.

With many of his players in action with their international sides in midweek, coach Luis Enrique rotated his squad, resting regulars Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba and talisman Lionel Messi.

The decision backfired and Alaves, playing in the top flight for the first time in a decade, made the most of their few chances, frustrating the champions even after Suarez, Messi and Iniesta came on.

“We made a lot of changes so the freshest players could play but we were fragile in defence and we have to look at that,” said Luis Enrique.

“Conceding the second goal after an error of ours was a big blow for the players but on Tuesday we’re playing the Champions League and that’s a**ther story. In that competition, you pay dearly for your errors.”

Luis Enrique is expected to field his first choice 11 against Celtic, so Suarez will meet up with his former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers presided over the Uruguayan’s best two seasons in England, compelling Barcelona to pay the Merseyside club 81 million euros ($90.97 million) for him in 2014.

Goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is the coach’s only doubt after he missed the Alaves game with a muscle strain.

Celtic head to Spain on a high after thrashing Glasgow rivals Rangers 5-1 on Saturday in the first league Old Firm derby in over four years to stay top of the Scottish Premiership.

Rodgers is still without lead striker Leigh Griffiths through a torn hamstring injury but new signing Moussa Dembele proved more than an able replacement against Rangers, scoring his first professional hat-trick.

Celtic were beaten 6-1 on their last visit to the **u Camp in December 2013, but Dembele believes they can get something this time. “We are going there to give everything and try to get a result,” he said. “When you start a game of football, even if it’s against the best team in the world, you have to go there and show what you can do and give everything to try and get a result.”

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola says Manchester City are **t yet ready to compete with Europe’s elite but his side will be confident of opening their Champions League campaign with victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Tuesday.

The Spaniard couldn’t have started his City reign more impressively with four consecutive Premier League wins and a crushing Champions League playoff defeat of Steaua Bucharest.

But Guardiola, twice a Champions League winner as coach of Barcelona, has quickly moved to dampen expectations. “Until **w, in the Premier League it has been okay — but to compete against the best clubs in Europe, in this moment with the way we are playing, we are **t able to,” Guardiola said.

The comment was all the more surprising as it came after Saturday’s impressive 2-1 victory at Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United.

Even without top striker Sergio Aguero, who was suspended but will be available on Tuesday, City oozed confidence.

The same can**t be said of Moenchengladbach, whom City beat twice in the group phase last season before going on to reach the semi-finals for the first time.

The Bundesliga side were beaten 3-1 at SC Freiburg over the weekend, interrupting what had been a bright start to the season for Andre Schubert’s men.

Fourth in the Bundesliga last season, Moenchengladbach had crushed BSC Young Boys 9-2 on aggregate in the Champions League play-offs and opened their domestic campaign with a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

Brazilian midfielder Raffael, however, said Saturday’s defeat would have ** impact on their trip to the Etihad. “I’m **t anxious about the meeting with Man City, as it will be a completely different game. We aren’t afraid of any team,” he told the club’s website.

City represent a huge challenge though, especially given Guardiola’s pedigree in the competition.

He has never failed to reach at least the semi-finals in seven previous seasons coaching in the competition and, whatever he says about City’s readiness, he will surely be disappointed if his new club are **t still alive in May.

Saturday’s win at Old Trafford meant Guardiola became the first City manager to win his first six games in charge and there are positive signs that his tried and tested methods are already being taken on board by his squad.

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