Find out why Barcelona need to play a Europa League knockout tie after being knocked out of the Champions League.
- Out of UCL before facing Bayern
- Will fall in the Europa League
- Must play knockout play-off tie
WHAT HAPPENED? Even before kicking a ball against Bayern at the Camp Nou, Barcelona were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage for the second consecutive season. However, with Viktoria Plzen not picking up a point in Group C, Xavi’s side have another Europa League knockout campaign to prepare for.
THE BIGGEST PICTURE: Because they fell out of the secondary European club competition following their Champions League failure, Barca need to contest a play-off round to qualify for the last 16. In this two-legged tie, they will face one of the teams. who finish the Europa League group stage as runners-up.
AND WHAT’S MORE: These two matches will be played on February 16 and 23, with the draw to be made before the start of the World Cup on November 7. Barcelona cannot be drawn against another Spanish team in this round.
WHO COULD BE DRAWN AGAINST BARCELONA? The Catalans could be drawn against one of the following Europa League group finalists: PSV, reindeer, Roma, Union Berlin, Manchester United, Midtjylland, Nantes and monaco.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
WHAT FUTURE FOR BARCELONA? Xavi’s side face Almeria on Saturday in La Liga and find out their Europa League fate on Monday.
