Barcelona faces the match against Copenhagen with a real chance of getting into the top eight and avoiding the play-off. The Catalans basically have to win and score goals to avoid surprises with the goal average with the teams below them but with the same points, taking into account the head-to-head between PSG and Newcastle.Hansi Flick’s side set themselves the target, after the defeat against Chelsea, of winning the next three matches and, so far, they have already won two. On Wednesday, they want to achieve the third.
The Catalans face Copenhagen at the Spotify Camp Nou, but the reality is that they also play in many other stadiums. Right now, the Blaugrana, due to goal difference with PSG, Newcastle and Chelsea, are out of the direct qualification places. In addition, below the Catalans there are also teams with the same 13 points: Sporting de Portugal, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta
The only blocks with the mathematical classification already in the bag are the first two, Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Real Madrid and Liverpool are also virtually through
The crosses where Barcelona will ‘play’
Liverpool-Qarabag.The Reds, fourth in the standings, now have 15 points and are obliged to win, as are their opponents, who are fighting to get into the play-offs. In the event of a tie on points between the English and Catalan sides, goal difference would have to be taken into account, as Barca currently have +5 and the English side +4.Benfica-Real Madrid. The white team (with 15 points) has a difference of +11 that seems, today, somewhat unattainable in case of a tie. The Catalans would only surpass Xabi Alonso’s side if they lose in Portugal and Barcelona win at the Spotify Camp Nou. The Portuguese side are pushing for a place in the play-offs, but are currently outside that group.Eintracht-Tottenham. The English side have one more point than Barcelona, but they have a +8 goal difference. If the British side do not win, Hansi Flick’s side would only need a victory to overtake them
PSG-Newcastle. This is the key match of the night. If either team is defeated and Barcelona wins, they will move up in the standings and gain direct access (as long as Sparta Prague, Manchester City, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid do not overtake them on goal difference). In the event of a three-way tie, the goal factor would come into play. PSG and Newcastle start with +10. Therefore, Barcelona needs to win convincingly.Napoli-Chelsea. The English side have the same number of points as the Catalans, but are above them because they have a +6 goal difference. Therefore, the Catalans must hope that Chelsea slip up or, in the event of victory, score more goals than the English side. It will be another of the matches that Barcelona fans will follow with interest on Wednesday night.Athletic-Sporting CP. The Portuguese are below Barcelona in the standings because, despite also having a +5 goal difference, they have fewer goals scored. In the event of a Sporting win, Barcelona would be fine with winning, but maintaining the same differential
Manchester City-Galatasaray. Pep Guardiola’s team has a +4 goal difference. Barcelona would do well with a draw or an English defeat. In the event of a victory, again, the goals would come into play. Hence the importance of Hansi Flick’s team trying to score as many goals as possible.Atletico Madrid-Bodo. Simeone’s side are also looking for a top-eight finish. In the case of the Madrid side, they have a +3.Union SG-Atlanta. It is the last team with 13 points. It has the worst goal difference: +1.
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