Barcelona president comments on the team’s chances in the Champions League after Benfica draw | OneFootball

This past Friday, Barcelona learned their opponents for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Having finished second in the league phase, the Blaugrana did not have to play an additional playoff round to progress to the Round of 16 and secured direct qualification.

Now, it has been confirmed that Barcelona will take on SL Benfica, an opponent they beat in the league phase, in the next round.

The draw on Friday placed the Catalans, at least on paper, in the more favourable half of the bracket. This has reignited hopes among supporters, who are beginning to dream of a sixth European title.

Joan Laporta on Barcelona’s chances in the Champions League

Speaking to the media (h/t SPORT) before the official directors’ lunch with UD Las Palmas representatives, Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressed cautious optimism when asked if Barcelona can go all the way in the UEFA Champions League.

“We have to work to win,” he stated before reiterating that he is “excited about the team.”

Joan Laporta excited about this Barcelona team. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

As always, the president took time to engage with travelling Barcelona fans. When one supporter shouted that Barça “has the best academy in the world,” Laporta readily agreed with him.

As mentioned earlier, Barcelona have handed a relatively straightforward path to the final, compared to the other side of the bracket.

Should they beat Benfica in the Round of 16, the Catalans would face the winners of Borussia Dortmund vs Aston Villa.

If they go past them, the Catalans will face one of Inter Milan, Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen, or Bayern Munich.

The Blaugrana have thus avoided the possibility of facing teams like PSG, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Arsenal until the finals.

Currently sitting on top in La Liga and performing exceptionally well in the UEFA Champions League, Hansi Flick’s team have what it takes to go all the way.