Champions League football highlights gulf in class

On Tuesday night, FC Viktoria Plze hosted FC Barcelona in the Champions League group stage.  Obviously, having Pep Guardiola's team, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, David Villa and Andrés Iniesta, come to town was going to be a big moment for not only the side, but the whole of the Czech Republic.

Viktoria Plze are not a big name in Czech football.  Before winning their first Gambrinus Liga title last season, they only had three trophies to their name - two Czech cups (one from last year) - and a Second Division title.  Plze is a relatively small city, not much bigger in size than Cork.  The city is most famous for its own type of beer, pilsner, a unique type of ale and holds the claim to be the world's first golden beer.

The city's football team has long been overshadowed by the Prague teams and were surprise winners of the title last season.  Previously, their biggest claim to fame was being the schoolboy club of Petr Cech, although he never played a senior game for them.

Viktoria have made a big impression on the European stage this year.  In their two previous European campaigns, they lost 7-1 on aggregate to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup in 1971 and 4-1 to Besiktas in the 2010 Europa League.  It was with some relief that they picked up their first win in Europe this season when they defeated Armenian champions FC Pyunik, one time conquerors of Derry City, 9-1 on aggregate. 

Considering their European past and the status of their opponents in the next two rounds, it was quite impressive that they knocked out both Rosenborg and FC Copenhagen on their way to the group stages.  They won all four games in those ties.  Unfortunately for them, they were drawn against two footballing giants in Barca and AC Milan.  So far these sides have been one step too far for them.

Viktoria are seen as a great footballing side by Czech league followers.  They are applauded for their attacking approach in what most regard as a highly-defensive league.  So for them to be drawn with the team hailed as one of the best footballing sides ever would lead to inevitable interest.  In the end, they proved to be no match for the Catalan side.

In the first encounter, three weeks ago at the Camp Nou, Barca won comfortably, with a wonder goal from Iniesta and a second from Villa late in the game.  On Tuesday, Viktoria were looking to restore some pride and keep alive their chances of reaching the knock-out stages.  Plzen's stadium does not meet UEFA's regulations so the game was played at Slavia Prague's stadium.  

While playing some good football, they were, like many others have been in the past three years, out-played by Guardiola's Barca.  Being reduced to ten men did not help but no team can stop the brilliance of Lionel Messi who once again proved to be the difference scoring a hat trick on the night.

Up next for Plzen is a trip to Belarus in what is essentially a play-off for the Europa League place.  If they lose, they'll be finishing bottom of their group.

Unfortunately, I missed the latest Zbrojovka home game at the weekend.  They drew 0-0 in what was the closest thing to a local derby for them in the Second Division with Tescoma Zlín.