Barcelona have a developing this night within the UEFA Champions League.
Having faltered in opposition to Olympiacos within the final match, Barcelona discover themselves in a tough state of affairs as they give the impression of being to interrupt into the highest eight, which, for the time being, seems difficult.
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The truth is, the end result of the match in opposition to Chelsea may decide whether or not the Catalans safe a direct ticket to the Champions League Spherical of 16 or are condemned to the treacherous playoff spherical.
How can Barcelona make it into the highest eight?
Evidently, a victory tonight is paramount for Barcelona if they’re to nonetheless harbour the hopes of breaking into the highest eight.
Securing three factors in West London wouldn’t solely bridge the hole to the elite eight however would additionally set the crew up for a beneficial run-in.
Following this match, the schedule softens considerably, with fixtures in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt (twenty third), Slavia Prague (thirtieth), and Copenhagen (thirty third) – two of which will likely be performed at Camp Nou.
Barcelona should win in opposition to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. (Picture by David Ramos/Getty Photographs)
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If Barça can conquer Chelsea, they are going to possible solely want to carry serve in opposition to lower-ranked opposition to hit the magic 19-point mark, a tally that often ensures a top-tier end.
It should even be famous that on this gameweek, a few of Barcelona’s direct rivals are going through one another, thus cannibalising factors off one another.
Bayern Munich play Arsenal whereas Inter Milan play Atletico Madrid. Liverpool, in the meantime, are taking over fifth-placed PSG.
A minimum of three of them are assured to drop factors, thus making it simpler for Barcelona to interrupt into the highest eight.
On the identical time, although, a slip-up in London complicates the mathematics disastrously. A defeat would go away Barcelona hovering within the playoff zone, the place they could face groups equivalent to Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham and Atletico Madrid.