The path of Barça in the Champions: results of their possible rivals in the quarter-finals and semis

The round of 16 of the Champions League 2024-2025 has completed its first stage after the first leg matches, and FC Barcelona has taken a fundamental step in their title aspirations with their victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz by 0-1.

Despite playing with 10 men since the 22nd minute due to the expulsion of Pau Cubarsí, the culés displayed a show of personality and resilience, and thanks to a goal from Raphinha and several miraculous saves from Wojciech Szczesny, they will return to Montjuïc to seal their qualification for the quarter-finals with the tie well in hand.

In this sense, according to the draw made by UEFA, the tournament bracket is already defined up to the final. For this reason, if Barça certifies their passage to the next round, their possible rival would be the winner of the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Lille, which is more open than ever.

The tie between the Germans and the French is far from being defined after the draw signed between both teams in the first leg held at the Signal Iduna Park (1-1). A goal from Karim Adeyemi for the locals and another from Haraldsson for the French have kept both teams alive, who will fight for the ticket to the quarter-finals on the field of 'Les Dogues' next Wednesday.

Barça could face a 'heavyweight' in the semi-finals

Meanwhile, in the semi-finals, the Catalans could face the winners of the clashes between Feyenoord-Inter Milan (0-2) and Bayern Munich-Bayer Leverkusen (3-0). In the case of the 'nerazzurri', a couple of goals from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martínez gave them a key victory on Dutch soil, so they will play the return leg at home with a comfortable advantage on aggregate.

The team led by Vincent Kompany, on the other hand, took advantage of their home ground to dominate the team of Xabi Alonso. A brace from Harry Kane, along with another goal from Jamal Musiala, practically leaves the qualification to the quarter-finals served for the Munich team, who will have to defend the result on Bayer's field. However, given what was seen last Wednesday, the Bavarians have everything in their favor to advance to the next round without major difficulties.

Thus, the path to the final in Munich is drawn, and at Can Barça they are starting to get a picture of what could await them in the next phases of the tournament. The quarter-finals of the Champions League will be played between April 8 and 9 (first leg) and April 15 and 16 (return leg), while the semi-finals will take place between April 29 and 30 (first leg) and May 6 and 7 (return leg).

🏆 When will the Champions League round of 16 second leg matches be played?: