What looked like a course in which Barcelona would regain the stature gained throughout its history, has fallen apart in the last three Champions League matches. The team again let points slip away last Wednesday playing at home against Inter Milan and their qualification for the round of 16 hangs by a thread. A serious problem for the board, who relied on overcoming economically based on the income that can be generated throughout this tournament.
The club would stop receiving significant income if the team led by Xavi Hernández is excluded from the Champions League. The club's board had budgeted for at least a quarter-final qualification, but failing to do so will seriously affect their estimates.
Being among the top eight teams in Europe would have meant Barcelona having around 20 million euros in its pocket, figures that they couldn't even achieve if they were to win the Europa League.
It is worth remembering that last week the institution held a general assembly for members in which it was revealed that the Catalan management foresees a profit of 274 million euros (270.7 million dollars) at the end of this season, with record revenues of 1,255 million euros (about 1,239 million dollars). Being eliminated from the Champions League prematurely would completely change these numbers.
With their draw against the 'Neroazzurri', Barcelona no longer depends on themselves to qualify for the round of 16. They only have four points in the Group C standings, with two matchdays remaining in this first phase. The Catalan team is obliged to win their next two matches against Bayern Munich and Viktoria Plzen. However, they must also hope that Inter Milan does not triumph in either of their remaining two matches.
When does Barcelona play next?
The team from the City of Barcelona will face Real Madrid this weekend in LaLiga Santander, in a new edition of the Spanish football classic. Only on the 26th of this month will they host Bayern Munich for the Champions League, a match in which they have to get the three points no matter what in order to not spoil the season.
In that same matchday, Inter Milan will host Viktoria Plzen at the Giuseppe Meazza. If they win, everything would be settled for Barcelona. They would have to settle for the Europa League again and focus on the domestic competition.
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