The balls were drawn in Nyon, the bracket filled out. The UEFA Champions League picture took shape, but FC Barcelona stayed right where they were, watching. No playoff tie, no extra travel, no nerves,
and no two-legged scramble to stay alive. Finishing in the top eight of the new Champions League league phase bought Barça a quieter February and some idea of what comes next.
When the playoff dust settles at the end of the month, Barcelona’s round of 16 opponent will come from one of two ties: AS Mónaco vs Paris Saint-Germain or Qarabag vs Newcastle. Regardless of opponent, Barça will be far from comfortable in the next round.
The playoff round itself is where much of the chaos now lives. Sixteen teams that finished between ninth and 24th will fight over the remaining eight spots. Real Madrid and Atlético both landed there after stumbling on the final matchday, missing out on direct qualification. Real were paired with Benfica, while Atlético drew Club Brugge. Both Spanish sides did earn the advantage of playing the return leg at home. First legs are scheduled for February 17 or 18, with the second legs a week later on February 24 or 25.
Barcelona, meanwhile, can afford to wait. The round of 16 draw will only take place once the playoffs are complete, pushing any preparation into late February. That delay suits a squad still managing workloads and a coaching staff keen to avoid unnecessary strain before March.
As for the potential opponents, none come without complications. The biggest name is PSG. They remain a familiar heavyweight. Barcelona are still itching for a rematch after being eliminated by the French champions in previous editions.
Newcastle bring intensity and physicality, and will be a tough matchup for any team. They are probably the second strongest side on paper after PSG.
Mónaco are harder to pin down but rarely comfortable to play against over two legs. While Qarabag are the least-fancied potential rival, trips east and hostile home atmosphere have tripped up bigger names before.
Avoiding the playoffs means fewer games, it means fewer flights, and most importantly, fewer chances for something to go wrong early. It does not guarantee anything beyond that, but it is a welcome-if-small advantage in Barça’s favor.
