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FC Barcelona could encounter a number of heavyweights in the last sixteen and quarter-finals of the Champions League. pointed out by SPORTS journalist Xavi Espinosa on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Suffering from an early frost 1-0 deficit in less than 10 minutes, the Catalans improved their chances of automatic qualification for the knockout stages by beating Slavia Prague 4-2 on Wednesday evening.
A brace from MVP Fermin Lopez put Hansi Flick’s men ahead, only for Robert Lewandowski to score an own goal before the break.
But in the second half, Dani Olmo came on for the injured Pedri around the hour mark and scored a clutch screamer before Lewandowski put the ball into the right net.
At that time in the evening, Barcelona were in the last automatic qualifying spot, eighth, but dropped to ninth as Chelsea won 1-0.
With only one match left in the league stage, against Copenhagen at home, Barcelona are in a good position not to need a play-off for the KO stage like those finishing ninth to 24th, while goal difference will also be important.
FC Barcelona has potential heavyweight opponents in the Champions League
However things stand, they could face heavyweight opponents in the next phase of the competition, in what will be some of the toughest matches of the season.
In the last sixteen, Barcelona could meet one of the two teams it has already lost this season: Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain, if not Manchester City.
However, the favorite opponent could be Newcastle United, who memorably defeated them in September thanks to a Marcus Rashford double at St. James’ Park.
Furthermore, the second legs would not take place, meaning a good score would have to be achieved at the Spotify Camp Nou before heading into the Lions’ Den on the road.
With Barca finishing seventh or eighth, there are tough tests in the quarter-finals if Barca get past the last 16, which would be first and second-placed Premier League leaders Arsenal or Bundesliga equivalent Bayern Munich.
But if the Blaugrana only manage to stay in ninth place, it will be La Liga rivals Athletic Bilbao or Olympiacos in the play-offs and then seventh or eighth place Newcastle United or Chelsea in the last 16.
Either way, this is football’s premier club tournament and there will be no easy games on the way to the crown.
If FC Barcelona wants to be the best, it will have to beat the best for the first time since 2015.
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