FC Barcelona is gearing up for the Champions League quarter-finals and there is one team that the Catalan club's locker room is hoping to avoid. Following their victory over Napoli, Barca has secured a spot in the last eight of the competition for the first time since 2020. The team emerged victorious with a 3-1 win in the last 16 second leg, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate score over the Italian Serie A champions.
As the focus shifts to the upcoming draw, FC Barcelona could potentially face tough opponents such as Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, or Manchester City. However, reports suggest that there is one team that the Catalan locker room is particularly wary of - reigning champions Manchester City.
The main reason cited for this apprehension is the quality of Manchester City's squad, led by a formidable coach, who clinched the Champions League title in the previous edition. Mundo Deportivo highlights the strength of City's lineup, describing it as 'powerful ammunition' that many would prefer to avoid facing at this stage of the competition.
Interestingly, despite Bayern Munich being the team that knocked Barca out of the Champions League in 2020 with a resounding 8-2 defeat, it is Manchester City that the Catalan side is reportedly keen to steer clear of. The memories of past encounters and the current form of City seem to have influenced this preference.
While there is no official indication of which team FC Barcelona would prefer to be drawn against, potential matchups with Arsenal or Borussia Dortmund might be viewed as less daunting compared to the other contenders. Additionally, a face-off with fellow La Liga side Atletico Madrid could have significant financial implications, with around $68.3 million (€62.5 million) at stake in that particular tie.
The financial rewards for progressing to the semi-finals and securing a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup next year add an extra layer of motivation for FC Barcelona as they await the draw on Friday. The outcome of the draw will determine the next chapter in Barca's Champions League journey, with fans eagerly anticipating the matchups that lie ahead.
