In this second Talking Barça Podcast Nic and Simon discuss Barça's comfortable 3-0 win over Racing Santander focusing on Thiago new role, Piqué's injury, Messi's return to the right of the attack and Iniesta's triumphant return. Nic also gives an overview of the history of Viktoria Plzen - Barça's next rival in the Champions League - and we make a few predictions about the game.
Listen to Talking Barça Podcast 2 - Racing Report and Viktoria Plzen Preview
FC Barcelona v Racing Santander
The comfortable 3-0 victory over Racing Santander in Camp Nou left us happy that Barça remain at the top of La Lig but slightly frustrated that Pep Guardiola's side took their foot off the accelerator when they might have bagged quite a few more goals.
Both of us were impressed by young Thiago Alcántara, who Pep fielded as the defensive midfielder in a return to the 4-3-3 set up - it looks like Guardiola has big plans for Thiago.
Despite Piqué's injury, Barça were not overly hit by the FIFA Virus, partly because Messi started the game and put in such an excellent performance. It was interesting to see him return to his old position on the right of the attack, aided and abetted by an Andrés Iniesta, who is back from injury in fine form.
FC Barcelona v Viktoria Plzen
Nic has put in some work to research on the background to Barça's rivals in the next two Champions League matches - Czech Champions Viktoria Plzen. Despite being founded in 1911 and having produced Pavel Nedved and Peter Cech, they haven't done a great deal over the last century. Two seasons ago they got to the final of the Czech Cup and qualified for the Europa League, and last season they won the Czech Championship for the first time in their history.
If everything goes to plan, they are unlikely to cause to many problems for this FC Barcelona side, but as Pep always warns, it's not a good idea to count your chickens before they're hatched.
In the next Talking Barça Podcast we might be eating our words (or not) but we will review this game and preview Barça's exciting match against Sevilla FC scheduled for Saturday.
Listen to Talking Barça Podcast 2 - Racing Report and Viktoria Plzen Preview
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