Barcelona vs. Plzen: Start Time, Schedule and Preview

Plzen has an uphill battle to contend with when they head to the Camp Nou to take on Spanish giant Barcelona in Champions League play. 

Plzen was done no favors when they were grouped with AC Milan and Barcelona. They have already been dealt defeat by Milan, now they will have to deal with the group's other power. 

Barcelona should control the pace of the match, and should deliver all three points. Let's delve deeper into Wednesday's clash. 

Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona 

When: October 19, 2:45 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox Soccer Channel (Coverage played at 5:00 p.m. ET)

Player to Watch For Barcelona: Lionel Messi

In a team of stars, Lionel Messi remains the most marvelous man to mark in your viewing. The poise in the box is unparalleled. He will no doubt have a field day with an inexperienced Czech side. 

I am also interested to see Carles Puyol continues to perform. This should be a match he would feature in. As the stalwart continues to age, matches like this will determine how he is favored against real powers. 

Player to Watch For Plzen: Pavel Horváth

The midfielder will need to be as precise as ever with his passes. He remains as one of the few experienced veterans, and the one shining hope to shock the Barcelona defense. 

The Catalans will be sure to mark Horváth at every turn, not allowing him to work his magic with a nicely placed ball through the back line. 

Key Matchup: 

Plzen will have the biggest test of the competition in defending a star-studded midfield. If they are to have any hope in shocking the world, they need to disrupt the fluidity and pace that the Catalans will provide. 

What They’re Saying: 

UEFA's rundown provides some hope as Plzen has shown ability to travel well.

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Pavel Vrba's Plzeň side are making their first visit to Spain yet prior to losing to Milan, they had produced some impressive away results in the qualifying rounds – winning at FC Pyunik (4-0), Rosenborg BK (1-0) and FC København (3-1). That sequence was all the more impressive given their inexperience, the Czech side having only played two European away games prior to this campaign, losing both and conceding nine goals.

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Gerard Pique is quick to dismiss rumors that head coach Pep Guardiola is on his way out.

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I don't want to put any pressure on Guardiola, he will do things at his own tempo, like he has done every year. He has always signed a new deal, though, and I believe he'll do so again this year. He loves his job here and the players believe in him.

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Prediction: Barcelona 3, Plzen 0

Plzen is a spirited side, and Barcelona has issues with injuries. Yet I don't see any hope for the Czech side to keep the Catalans at bay. 

This should be a match Barcelona controls from start to finish. They will continue to assert themselves as the dominant club in the group after opening with a draw against AC Milan.