体坛英语新闻：Barcelona look for winning start in Champions League

MADRID, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona kick off their Champions League campaign at home to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday evening, looking to improve on the quarterfinal exits they have suffered in the past three years in the tournament.

Ernesto Valverde's side are the only side in Spain with a 100 percent record in La Liga although there are still doubts about their play, especially when key players such as Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and of course, Lionel Messi are rested.

Valverde rested Busquets and Philippe Coutinho as Barcelona came from behind to win 2-1 away to Real Sociedad on Saturday but they will both be in the side, with Coutinho making his Champions League debut for the club, on Tuesday.

Nelson Semedo will drop back to the bench to allow Sergi Roberto to return to right back, while Ivan Rakitic will partner Busquets and Coutinho to allow Messi, Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele to lead the Barcelona attack.

It once again looks as if the summer signings, Arturo Vidal, Clement Lenglet, Arthur and Malcom will have to wait their turn before getting into the action, although Vidal is likely to appear as a second half substitute.

With a tough group also containing Inter Milan and Tottenham, Barcelona know they have little room for error against the Dutch side, who should be relatively straightforward rivals.

Atletico Madrid face a tougher task when they play AS Monaco away on Tuesday evening and coach Diego Simeone needs to see his players put their poor league form behind them in order to avoid a repeat of last season's exit at the group stage.

The trip to the Principality will see Atletico come up against Monaco striker Radamel Falcao, who was vital for the Spanish club as they claimed the 2012 Europa League and 2013 Copa del Rey titles and the Atletico defense will have to improve on recent displays in order to keep the Colombian at bay. Enditem