Barca have a lot to be proud of but the true UCL test is yet to come

Atalanta ended Barcelona’s winning streak in the league phase of the new-look Champions League, but the Blaugrana should take a minute to appreciate what they’ve accomplished over the past few months. They were just one goal away on Wednesday from finishing in first place in front of Liverpool. On goal difference, they were the top team in Europe with a +15 margin.

Hansi Flick did it the Barcelona way. By playing attacking football, and fearing no one. Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images After traumatizing the club five years ago with his 8-2 Baverian takedown that sent the club into a tailspin, the German manager has become the man to put the Catalan giants back together again.



For years, Barcelona looked scared in the competition. This was true especially under Ronald Koeman, but even Xavi had his struggles in the Europa League of all places. That being said, Barcelona did make an impressive run to the quarterfinals in 2024, before being eliminated in shocking, albeit familiar, fashion by PSG.

So now, the work really begins. Securing second place was important, because it puts them opposite of Liverpool in the bracket. It would be a joy to see those two attacking powerhouses meet in the final in Munich, and I believe Barcelona would match up well.

Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images But here’s some realism. Just because they got an automatic pass into the round of 16 doesn’t mean it will be an easy journey. In fact, they will play either PSG, Monaco (who already beat them twice this season), Benfica, or Brest .

They will be tested right away. And ultimately, Flick will be judged by how far he can go in this competition, especially with such a big gap opening at the top of the table in La Liga. And that begs the question, is this Barcelona team ready for the challenge? Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images There have been good games and bad games in Europe so far.

They lost to Monaco in much the same manner that they lost to PSG a year ago, which was with a self-inflicted early red card. They took care of business against Young Boys and Crvena zvezda, two of the worst teams in the competition, and they got statement wins against Bayern Munich and Dortmund. The last two games, however, against Benfica and Atalanta, they learned just how tough, unforgiving, and unpredictable, the Champions League promises to be.

Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images Above all else, Barcelona have to be smart, focused, and show they understand the importance of not beating themselves first and foremost. In knockout brackets, it’s not usually the best, and most beautiful teams that go through, but the pragmatic ones. That doesn’t mean they abandon their attacking mentality that has gotten them this far, but they should be aware of the importance of managing every game from minute to minute, because momentum swings can be a killer, and they can appear out of nowhere.

For now, not a bad time to enjoy a glass of Cava and appreciate your team culers. Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images But save the bottle of Champagne. The season really begins now.

In Barcelona, trophies are the measurement of success, and the only way to get there is one game at a time. In the meantime, before the round of 16 at the end of February, the Blaugrana have some catching up to do in Spain. And those extra days off may come in handy.

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