Barca face a big test in London

Barcelona don’t have the same rhythm without Xavi and Iniesta and the Catalan giants face a testing examination of their immediate future when they clash with Spurs tomorrow night.

Barcelona are in London tomorrow night for a severe examination of where the club is headed and whether their lustre could be losing some of its sheen.

Their UEFA Champions League meeting against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley comes on the back of a dip in form and increasing signs that a changing of the guard has not been as smooth as hoped for.

A single point from their last two La Liga outings suggests an air of vulnerability, much like Tottenham were displaying last month before winning their last two games and seeing Harry Kane return to the score sheet.

Times have changed for the Catalans with Xavi long retired and their other midfield maestro Andres Iniesta departing after 15 years of being the other custodian of the club’s intoxicating passing rhythm.

Lionel Messi can still be devastating but is not getting any younger and Luis Suarez, also 31-years-old, has only three goals in nine outings and has not properly kicked off his season.

This game will give a good early indication as to Barca’s chances of going all the way and lifting the trophy in May. Spurs have good pedigree in spite of a penchant for throwing away winning situations.

Last season, Tottenham topped their group by beating Real Madrid at home and drawing away in the Spanish capital, but then contrived to throw away an advantageous position against Juventus in the last 16.

Similarly, they were heading to an away win over Inter Milan in their opening game of this season’s group phase, but allowed their hosts to come back and win in the last minutes.

But they are still a stiff test and Barcelona could find themselves registering yet another poor result.

It is also an important clash for Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has deep roots with the city of Barcelona. Although originally from Argentina, he played and coached there and still keeps a residence.

But Pochettino is a product of Espanyol - the city’s second club - where there is nothing sweeter than beating Barca. He will be pulling out all the stops to do so.