Barcelona’s potential opponents in the UCL Round of 16 | OneFootball

Barcelona have secured direct qualification for the Champions League round of 16, bypassing the need to compete in the play-offs for teams placed between ninth and twenty-fourth.

Their place in the next stage was confirmed last night, and following their 2-2 draw with Atalanta, they are now officially set to advance as runners-up in their group.

Which team will Barcelona face?

By finishing second, Barcelona will face a team drawn from the clubs that finished between 15th and 18th.

This means their potential opponents are Monaco, Brest, Benfica, and PSG, three of which they have already played against in the group stage. The draw to determine the matchups for these four teams will take place next Friday.

Barcelona finished second in UCL group stage. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

These four teams will compete in two knockout ties, with the first legs scheduled for 11 and 12 February and the return legs on 18 and 19 February.

One of the winners will meet Barcelona in the round of 16, while the other will face Liverpool. The draw in Nyon will determine who plays whom.

When will Barcelona play?

Barcelona will begin the first leg of their tie away from home, with the second leg being held at the Camp Nou.

With their qualification confirmed, Barcelona will enjoy a break during the play-off matches scheduled for February. Their round of 16 fixtures will take place on 4 or 5 March for the first leg, and the return leg will be played on 11 or 12 March.

If all goes according to plan, Barcelona could find themselves facing either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the competition, adding more excitement to what is shaping up to be a thrilling knockout stage.