While many in Catalunya certainly cheered or breathed a sigh of relief at the announcement of Cyprus club APOEL FC drawing FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League group stage, Barça boss Luis Enrique likely raised a concerned eyebrow. For it was but three seasons ago when APOEL, battling a group consisting of FC Porto, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Shakhtar Donetsk, finished top and advanced two more rounds before being ruthlessly dispatched by Real Madrid in the quarterfinal. Minnows of that group and the 2011/12 tournament, the Cypriots advanced at the expense of more experienced clubs through conservative tactics, a good mix of experienced and explosive players, and biding time until home advantage presented itself. Could a surprise be lurking in the grass for the blaugrana, who squeaked by Villarreal, or could this be an opportune time for Lucho to do some tinkering as more big games loom?
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Despite all the summer departures and arrivals, it has not taken long for Barcelona to look rather frightening. Fresh faces Claudio Bravo, Jérémy Mathieu, Ivan Rakitić, and Munir el Haddadi have certainly brought spark and purposefulness to the squad, with plenty of older faces and untested arrivals itching to show their worth.
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With a Cyprus Supercup and two victories in the first two rounds of the Cypriot Championship in the back pocket, APOEL is off to a usual good start. And considering manager Giorgos Donis made off with a league and cup double last season, he certainly knows how to get the better of his opponents. Defensive veteran John Arne-Riise is perhaps the most recognizable name in the Cyprus squad, but his fitness will prevent him from taking the field. Greek central defender Anastasios Papazoglou has just returned from injury and will bolster the back line tasked with marking Barcelona’s pesky strikers.

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