FC Barcelona complicates Real Madrid's path in the Champions League!

A goal from FC Barcelona in the last 10 minutes of the match against Atalanta would have completely shaken up the standings of the group stage of the Champions League. Although they came close to victory, the Catalans could not deliver the final blow to 'La Dea' and had to 'settle' for second place, despite the fact that they could have taken the lead due to Liverpool's stumble against PSV (2-3).

However, the draw against Gian Piero Gasperini's team has dealt an even harder blow to Real Madrid than to Barça itself. If the azulgranas had secured the three points, the Bergamo team would have dropped to eleventh place in the standings, one spot below the merengues, who would have finished tenth and their outlook in the tournament would have changed considerably.

Madrid could have had a more accessible draw

With the final result, Madrid will have to face Manchester City or Celtic in the playoff, while, if they manage to advance to the round of 16, they will face Atlético de Madrid or Bayern Leverkusen. A more complex path than the one they could have taken if the culés had achieved victory this Wednesday.

With a hypothetical azulgrana victory, the team led by Carlo Ancelotti would have played the round of 32 against Sporting of Portugal or Bruges and the round of 16 against Lille or Aston Villa. A draw that, in principle, could have been more favorable considering the level of the opponents, although, curiously, the final result prevents a Clásico until the semifinals or the final of the competition.

Thus, the draw for the Catalans has a 'bittersweet' taste, as despite not being able to climb to the top of the standings in the last matchday, Flick's team, unwittingly, has placed a huge stone in the path of their eternal rival.