The Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is hoping his side can use tonight's Champions League game with Sporting Lisbon to kick-start their Primera Liga campaign. Barca head into the clash with the Portuguese giants on the back of their worst start to La Liga in 35 years, with only one point and one goal from their first two games. Barca were derided for their performance in the 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Numancia on the opening day of the season, but performed much better in the1-1 home draw with Racing Santander.
The poor start to new coach Pep Guardiola's reign comes after a series of high-scoring wins in pre-season and a summer of rebuilding work which saw the club shell out around ?90million (Dh469m) for the likes of Dani Alves, Seydou Keita, Gerard Pique, Martin Caceres and Alexander Hleb. The Blaugranes are desperate to perform this year after going two seasons without a trophy, and Iniesta hopes a change of competition will be the impetus his side needs. "The game against Sporting Lisbon is an important one because victories give you a lot of strength," he said.
"It's another competition, a very difficult one, and we cannot slip up, especially at home. "We have to win, no ifs or buts. Our moral and our desire need to be at their maximum." * PA Sport
