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Champions League

Genuine contenders Barcelona look a nice price for glory

La Liga leaders have plenty of star quality

Barca have bags of firepower
Barca have bags of firepowerCredit: Alex Caparros

Manager
Ernesto Valverde.

How they qualified
A 3-0 win over Juventus on matchday one set Barcelona up for a comfortable passage through. No side shipped fewer goals, with the Catalans conceding just once in six fixtures.

Results and fixtures

La Liga standings

Transfer action
Philippe Coutinho arrived for a club-record fee but is not available in the Champions League. Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina can feature but Gerard Deulofeu, Javier Mascherano, Rafinha and Arda Turan have moved on.

Last-16 first leg
Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1
Willian gave Chelsea the lead with a lovely curling shot but Lionel Messi scored his first goal against Chelsea in eight attempts to level up the scores heading to Camp Nou.

Last-16 first leg
Barcelona 3 Chelsea 0
Messi put Barca on the way with a goal after just three minutes and they rarely looked like throwing it away. Ousmane Dembele scored his first Barca goal in the second half before Messi wrapped it up with another.

Quarter-final first leg
Barcelona 4 Roma 1
Barca made light work of the Italians and Luis Suarez's goal with three minutes remaining should put the tie to bed before they go to Roma for the second leg.

Prospects
They are genuine contenders and not a bad price considering their obvious qualities.

Mark Langdon picks the Champions League winner


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