'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAf/2gAIAQEAAAAAkwf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAG//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAF//xAAfEAACAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIEEQAFEiExMlP/2gAIAQEAAT8A2aqvcqV9lcQFtaZNgxsPaPLBz2QDgeQNLigricOPX01//8QAGhEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMAAgUx0f/aAAgBAgEBPwDGqq5jKsGuCf/EABcRAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAAT/2gAIAQMBAT8A6FQTTv/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The race for the UEFA Champions League trophy this season is getting more intense every day as European powerhouses continue to put up a great fight in the prestigious tournament. The recently concluded Round Of 16 clashes produced a lot of surprising outcomes, with underdog teams defying the odds and knocking out the favorites from the tournament.
While big teams such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain both fell against underdogs, Catalan giants FC Barcelona held their nerves and overcame their own tricky fixture, defeating Olympique Lyon 5-1 on aggregate to qualify for the quarterfinals.
The Blaugrana are a team on a mission in Europe's elite tournament this season, steadily moving on their way to dominating the continent once again. Having failed to progress beyond the quarterfinals of the Champions League in each of the past 3 seasons, Ernesto Valverde's men will be looking forward to moving further this term and below are 3 reasons why they could reach final of the competition:
Also see : Womens World Cup Bracket, Copa America Standings, Gold Cup Standings
#3. Squad depth
By virtue of their fantastic exploits in the transfer market, the Blaugrana have assembled arguably the strongest squad in Europe right now, with world-class superstars in all areas of the pitch including the bench.
The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Arthur Melo, Malcom, Kevin Prince Boateng, Clement Lenglet, Jean Claire Todibo, and Jeison Murillo have added more firepower to the team while Ousmane Dembele is finally proving his abilities this term following his injury crisis last season.
Young talents such Carles Alena, Juan Miranda, and Ruqui Puig have been firing on all cylinders after joining the squad this season and veterans such as Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Lionel Messi continue to scale fantastic heights. Unlike previous seasons, Barcelona look refreshed at the business end of the season and that will help them immensely as they aim to reach the final of the competition and claim the trophy once more.
#2 Rigid Determination
Nothing can help Barcelona in their quest to succeed in the Champions League this season more than their rigid determination. The Catalans are a team on a mission in the European tournament this term as evidenced in their performances so far.
Drawn alongside the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven in the group stage, the Blaugrana made qualification look easy as they emerged leaders with an impressive 14 points in 6 games. The tie against Olympique Lyon in the Round of 16 also proved to be a tricky one but with their determination, they were able to sail through and qualified for the quarterfinals.
Having failed to progress past the quarterfinals of the Champions League in each the last 3 seasons and watching their arch-rivals Real Madrid making history by claiming the trophy in each of those years, the Blaugrana are greatly determined to dominate the continent once again and that will help them immensely in the tournament.
#1 Lionel Messi's influence
Speaking for the first time as Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi promised that the club would do everything to ensure they return the Champions League trophy to the Nou Camp this season and he has taken to the pitch to fulfill his promise.
The attacker has been a standout performer in the European tournament this term, recording 8 goals and 3 assists to his name in 6 appearances to go with a couple of incredible match-winning displays.
Messi produced an exceptional performance against Olympique Lyon on Wednesday night, bagging two goals and two assists to help Barcelona achieve a 5-1 victory that sealed their passage into the next round.
With the Argentine in such a fantastic form at the moment, Barcelona will be looking forward to reaching the final of the tournament and claiming the trophy once again.
