Impossible mission? Barça's accounts to avoid the Champions League playoff

Published New:26/11/2025 - 00:15h

Updated New:26/11/2025 - 00:15h

Despite the defeat against Chelsea (3-0), Barça still has mathematical options to enter the TOP-8 of the Champions League which grants direct access to the round of 16. With three matchdays left to play, the Catalans must win all their remaining games

FC Barcelona's defeat against Chelsea (3-0) seriously complicates the team's chances of advancing, for the second consecutive season, directly to the round of 16. According to the new format, clubs that finish between 9th and 24th in the general standings must play an additional playoff tie in February

The first eight in the general standings, on the other hand, advance directly to the next phase. The teams ranked 25th to 36th, on the other hand, are eliminated. **In 24/25, Barça was second in the league with 19 points**, a figure impossible to reach after the loss in London.

However, Hansi Flick's team can still break into the TOP 8. What do the Catalans need to achieve this goal? First, **win the remaining three matchdays**. Then, hope that the teams currently in the top spots drop points in the upcoming fixtures.

How many points does Barça need to reach the TOP-8?

If Barça defeats Eintracht, Slavia Prague, and Copenhagen, they would reach 16 points. Last season, Aston Villa finished in the TOP-8 as eighth-placed with 16 units and a +7 goal difference. Just below the Birmingham team was Atalanta, with 15 points.

In that sense, **Barcelona would still depend on themselves to qualify, as long as the cap of 16 points is maintained** among the top eight classified. At the moment, Newcastle occupies 8th place with 9 points. That is to say, the 'magpies' can still surpass the Catalans, provided they win all three remaining matchdays.

The standings change after each matchday, and Barça could still drop a few more places after Wednesday's results. The goal difference, for now, is +2 for the Catalans, so winning by large margins in the remaining fixtures will be key.

The schedule favors Barcelona's interests in the league stage

A key factor in Barcelona's aspirations to reach the TOP-8 with 16 points has to do with the quality of the rivals they must face. **Both Eintracht, Slavia Prague, and Copenhagen have completed a very weak group stage**, with all three occupying direct elimination spots.

The Germans, although they started by thrashing Galatasaray (5-1), collapsed in the following matches with identical 5-1 defeats against Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool. Furthermore, they drew on their visit to Naples (0-0), placing them in 27th position with 4 points, one more than Slavia (30).

The Czechs already played on matchday 5 (0-0 against Athletic), while Copenhagen has barely accumulated 1 point out of a possible 12. Three affordable rivals to make up ground in a very tight table, although each matchday brings surprises. Barça also has the advantage of playing at Spotify Camp Nou against Eintracht and Copenhagen, with only the visit to Slavia on matchday 5 remaining.