With two more group stage games remaining, Barcelona have must-win fixtures coming up if they should make the UCL Round of 16.
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| (image: FC Barcelona) |
Xavi Hernandez and Co now have two more games to seal their place in the Round of 16. Following the disappointing defeat at the hands of FC Shakhtar Donetsk in their last UCL fixture, the Catalans must secure at least one more victory out of the remaining two group stage games.
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A draw in both fixtures will leave Barcelona with 11 points – which in turn will keep knock out hopes alive but the team might possibly finish the group stages as runners-up instead of Group leaders.
🇺🇦👏 27 passes completed in the build-up for Shakhtar Donetsk's goal vs Barcelona in the UCL! Fantastic team play. ✨ pic.twitter.com/Lq8cApojac
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) November 10, 2023
The next two games are scheduled for November 28 and December 13 respectively. The fifth game of the group stages for the Catalans is set to be a home fixture against FC Porto and the last is an away game at Bosuilstadion where Royal Antwerp will host the Blaugranas.
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| (image: FC Barcelona official) |
Antwerp so far has failed to secure a single win in their UCL campaign this season and are sitting at the bottom of Group H. FC Shakhtar Donetsk currently have 6 points after four games and would be eligible to play the Europa League is they finish third.
Xavi and Co. will be looking to avoid their third consecutive elimination from the UCL group stages, a misfortune the Catalans have had to face in the last two seasons.
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| Frenkie de Jong (image: FromTheBend archives) |
Despite injury concerns and key players like Frenkie de Jong still questionable to return in time, Barcelona will need star interiors to step up in the coming fixtures. With challenges in Europe hanging over the head, Barcelona are currently sitting third in La Liga with 30 points.
Frenkie de Jong has not yet recovered from his injury because being a player who rotates a lot on the field, it is necessary that he is very well recovered so as not to have a relapse. This is the reason why it is taking so long to return.
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 10, 2023
— @marca pic.twitter.com/XFbxP2Vyib
Remains to be seen if Barca can pull this one off and make it to the Round of 16, preferably as Group-Leaders.
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| Ferran Torres (image: FC Barcelona official) |
What will be Barcelona's gameplan for the upcoming fixtures?
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