Barcelona’s round of 16 spot in the balance after draw with Benfica

Barcelona’s chances of qualifying into the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League who were held in the balance after a 0-0 draw against Benfica on Tuesday evening.

The game is Xavi Hernandez’s first UEFA Champions League game in charge of Barcelona and the frustrating result leaves Barcelona two points above Benfica with one round of matches still to go.

However, while Barcelona face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on December 8, Benfica will face Dynamo Kiev in Portugal. A win for Benfica will see them progress to the next round at the expense of Barcelona as long as the La Liga side fails to record a win against the Bundesliga champions.

Joan Jordan and Rafa Mir scored in either halves as Sevilla beat Wolfsburg 2-0 to boost their chances of qualifying for the round of sixteen with a match to spare. Sevilla sits in third with six points, two behind table topping Lille and one above Wolfsburg at the root of the table.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Real Madrid will hope to take a revenge of their 2-1 loss to Sherrif Tiraspol at the Santiago Bernabeu when they face the Moldovan side in Tiraspol.

A win for Real Madrid receive them move into the round of 16 but after the shock loss in the first leg to the Moldovan side, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will know that the game will not be a pushover as the Champions League debutants will hope to also boost their chances of progressing to the next round of the UEFA Champions League on their first attempt.

However, Sheriff can take solace in the fact that a UEFA Europa League place may be confirmed if they avoid defeat or Shakhtar Donetsk loses to inter Milan on Wednesday.

Atletico Madrid world also host AC Milan at the Wanda metropolitano, a win for Diego Simeone’s side will strengthen their push for a round of 16 spot especially if Porto fails to win in Liverpool.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu