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This Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona meet in an official game for the very first time as the iconic Wembley Stadium plays host to what's set to be a tantalizing encounter.
Both sides endured contrasting fortunes in the Champions League opener, as the Blaugrana cruised to a 4-0 win over Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, while the Spurs were consigned to a defeat by Inter Milan's late surge in a 2-1 loss. But when it comes to the domestic scenario, Harry Kane and co are cruising after a stuttering start, whereas the Spanish champions are winless in their last three games.
These sides did meet during the International Champions Cup earlier in the summer, playing out a pulsating 2-2 draw that was settled on penalties, which Spurs edged. But this is set to be a more glamorous affair, with plenty of talking points sure to emerge. Here are three of them ahead of the kick off:
#1 Barcelona need to bounce back
We know they will. Yet, it's a testament to the crisis cloud that's currently hovering over the Catalan capital that you have to state the obvious. It's true that Barcelona haven't been their usual selves since the 4-0 battering of PSV in Champions League opener. In fact, they've won none of the three games in its aftermath and allowed arch-rivals Real Madrid to pull level on points.
Manager Ernesto Valverde is walking a tight rope. Neither Lionel Messi nor Luis Suarez have scored in the last two games (the latter hasn't found the net in the last four actually). These are some of the most difficult days at the club, and the time has come to reverse the fortunes again. Spurs could be a tall order, and the 3-1 victory over Real Madrid last year at this very stadium suggest the ability this side possesses.
Barcelona have drawn a barrage of criticism for a series of atrocious performances, but Valverde has all the tools to pull back on track. Even Messi has gone on to state the importance of the Champions League this season after the Joan Gamper victory, and now here's a chance for the team to add substance to those words.
#2 Harry Kane vs Lionel Messi
The best of England vs the best of Spain (and the world). Harry Kane and Lionel Messi are set for a first ever duel, and it's going to be really interesting, especially considering the forms the two are in right now. Whilst Kane is hitting the stride again after a minor blip, Messi continues to do the dirty work for his side even though he hasn't found the net in 250 minutes of football. But his last European outing was a memorable one, hitting a treble to become the player with most hattricks in the competition with eight.
Kane's maiden campaign in Europe's premier club competition was one to forget, though he returned stronger last year by scoring against Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and providing an assist against Real Madrid. Now here's another opportunity to add to the growing scalps. Two opportunities, in fact, and Kane is the kind of player who'd relish it.
Whereas for Messi, well, Barcelona will once again look up to their talisman as he seeks to start firing again. He has fond memories of Wembley Stadium, having struck here in the 2011 final against Manchester United - his first goal on English soil. He'll fancy his chances to bag another one in this game.
#3 Tottenham's true test of mettle
Regardless of Barcelona's domestic struggles, Tottenham can expect testing circumstances. A repeat of the San Siro disaster could prove to be catastrophic against Messi and co. Mauricio Pochettino's side deserved to lose after what was a thoroughly unconvincing performance, but another setback would seriously dent hopes of reaching the next round. Recent results are positive heading into this fixture, but Spurs aren't in a blistering form either, and this is set to be a true test of their mettle.
Tottenham caused problems for some of the top sides in Europe last season, and it's imperative to replicate some of those heroics here. They haven't progressed to the last eight since 2011, and having been drawn in another group of death, fate isn't being any kinder to their cause. Plus, there's no Dele Alli to pull the strings upfront. So the onus is on Pochettino to pull another rabbit out of the hat.
It's Tottenham's grit against Barcelona's might. Brace yourselves for a feisty affair.
