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10 months ago
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The 1-1 draw against Napoli in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 meant that Barcelona’s progression to the quarter-finals will be decided in the second leg in Montjuic on 12 March.
But the result has also complicated Barcelona’s participation in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup to be held in the United States, reports SPORT.
Currently, the Blaugrana would not get a place in the new Club World Cup with a revamped format, as they have six points less than Atletico Madrid (62 points) in the UEFA ranking of the last four editions of the Champions League.
Xavi’s side were unable to capitalise on Los Rojiblancos’ 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan and only cut the gap to one point with a draw against Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium.
Each victory in the competition awards two points to the winning team, one point for a draw and one point for qualifying for the quarter-finals or semi-finals.
By doing the maths, Barcelona need to win the second leg vs Napoli (two points for the win and one for progressing to the quarter-finals) and for Atletico to lose vs Inter. Even so, the difference would still be three points, so Barça must go through to the semi-finals.
In the event that Barça and Atleti finish level on points, the Blaugrana would get the ticket to go to the Club World Cup because they would have more points in this edition of the Champions League.
If Atletico Madrid drew the second leg of the Round of 16, Barça would have to win both quarter-final matches. If Los Colchoneros were to beat Inter, Xavi’s men would need a near-miracle to be in the United States in 2025.
Whatever happens on points, the team crowned champions at Wembley this season will be assured of a place at the new Club World Cup.
