Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
This previous Friday, Barcelona realized their opponents for the Spherical of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Having completed second within the league part, the Blaugrana didn’t need to play a further playoff spherical to progress to the Spherical of 16 and secured direct qualification.
Now, it has been confirmed that Barcelona will tackle SL Benfica, an opponent they beat within the league part, within the subsequent spherical.
The draw on Friday positioned the Catalans, at the very least on paper, within the extra beneficial half of the bracket. This has reignited hopes amongst supporters, who’re starting to dream of a sixth European title.
Joan Laporta on Barcelona’s probabilities within the Champions League
Chatting with the media (h/t SPORT) earlier than the official administrators’ lunch with UD Las Palmas representatives, Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressed cautious optimism when requested if Barcelona can go all the best way within the UEFA Champions League.
“We now have to work to win,” he said earlier than reiterating that he’s “excited concerning the group.”
Joan Laporta enthusiastic about this Barcelona group. (Picture by Eric Alonso/Getty Photographs)
As all the time, the president took time to have interaction with travelling Barcelona followers. When one supporter shouted that Barça “has the perfect academy on this planet,” Laporta readily agreed with him.
As talked about earlier, Barcelona have handed a comparatively simple path to the ultimate, in comparison with the opposite facet of the bracket.
Ought to they beat Benfica within the Spherical of 16, the Catalans would face the winners of Borussia Dortmund vs Aston Villa.
In the event that they go previous them, the Catalans will face one in every of Inter Milan, Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen, or Bayern Munich.
The Blaugrana have thus prevented the opportunity of going through groups like PSG, Liverpool, Actual Madrid, and Arsenal till the finals.
Presently sitting on high in La Liga and performing exceptionally nicely within the UEFA Champions League, Hansi Flick’s group have what it takes to go all the best way.
