Barcelona Has Identified Its Opponents in the Champions League Last 16 Phase
FC Barcelona's Champions League rival for the last 16 is already shaping up. With a solid second place finish in the league phase, behind Liverpool in the new format, Barça avoided the playoffs like their bitter rivals Real Madrid, who face Man City at the Bernabeu.
After a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano and eight days of rest, Barça topped the La Liga table once again. Meanwhile, Madrid struggles with three consecutive losses and a narrow lead over the Catalans.
In the Champions League, potential opponents include Benfica, who beat Barça convincingly during the Joan Gamper Trophy and the league phase, and AS Monaco. However, following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the final leg of their elimination match, Benfica advanced to the next round.
Barça has a history with Benfica, besting them 5-4 in a comeback victory in January 2025, but falling to them in the knockout phase in 2021/2022. Another potential opponent, Paris Saint-Germain, is currently well-positioned to advance in their match against Brest, thanks to a 3-0 lead from the first leg.
So, while nothing is set in stone, FC Barcelona is likely to face either Benfica, PSG, Monaco, or Brest in the Champions League Round of 16. We’ll find out for sure once the playoffs conclude and the official draw takes place on February 21, 2025.
Source:[1] ESPN FC [2] Marca [3] UEFA [4] Sport [5] Sports Illustrated (Enrichment Data)
Ousmane Dembele's performance could be crucial in Barca's upcoming Champions League matches, given his impressive form recently.
Despite Benfica's history of challenges against Barca, with a 5-4 win in their favor in 2025 but a defeat in the knockout phase in 2021/2022, the Portuguese club emerged victorious in their last meeting, eliminating a strong Real Madrid team.
If FC Barcelona were to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16, the presence of Hansi Flick as their coach could add an interesting dynamic, given his success with Bayern Munich.
Real Madrid's troubles in the league may be beneficial for Barca, as a winless run for their rivals could potentially see them drawn against a less formidable opponent in the Champions League.
With Benfica's clearview against Brest in their upcoming Champions League match, the Portuguese team is more likely to advance to the Round of 16, posing a potential threat to Barca's plans for the competition.
Ousmane Dembele's goal-scoring ability could be the deciding factor in Barca's potential match against Benfica, given their history of close encounters in the Champions League.
