Will there be a Champions League quarter-final without Barcelona for the first time in 20 years?

Yes, for twenty long years the knockout part of the millionaire competition has not been without the Catalan colossus, but the continuation of this tradition seems to be in danger. In the last round of the Champions League’s current edition’s main groups, Xavi’s charges face Bayern Munich at home and Barcelona desperately need three points.

After five games played in the Champions League, Barcelona have seven points and relegation challengers Benfica Lisbon have five points.

This in itself might not seem like such an alarming situation in terms of the Catalans’ ambitions, but the draw has awarded Barcelona Bayern in their last game and Benfica Dynamo Kiev, a much more playable opponent on paper.

There is not much optimism in the minds of FCB supporters regarding the current form, as in the last round of the Spanish La Liga the Blaugranas lost 0:1 at home to Real Betis.

Xavi confidently declared that his charges have the quality to beat the German side, but in their current state of mind, also due to injuries, we can talk about Barcelona’s clash with Bayern as a parable of David and Goliath.

Moreover, Julian Nagelsmann is certainly not going to spare his players! “We will play against Barcelona with the best we have at our disposal. We salute Benfica, you don’t have to worry,” the young coach said at the pre-match press conference.

Should Barcelona indeed have to settle for only the Europa League for the spring knockout stage, it would be the first time since the 2000/01 season that the Catalans also mourned third place, finishing behind AC Milan and Leeds United.

Source: UEFA, Transfermarkt