The 3-2 win is over Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion, the fifth in a row in the Champions League, Barça moves to second place in the League phase table with 15 points. Only Liverpoolwho have won every game so far have a better record with only two games left.

The three points in Germany mean that whatever happens in these games, Barça will be among the 24 teams that continue in the competition after January. That’s because of it PSGwho is currently in 25th place, has 7 points and is obviously not close to Barça now.

Higher goal

But while the teams in places 9 to 24 in the new UEFA system have to fight for a place in the round of 16, Barça is within touching distance of being able to move straight into the next round. That’s an honor that only goes to the eight highest-placed teams, and from the looks of things, Barça is indeed very well prepared to be one of them.

There are two games left, at home against Atalanta and away too Benfica. Barça currently has a three-point cushion and the best goal difference (+14) of all 36 teams. A win and a draw would be enough to mathematically secure a place in the top eight, although depending on how the other games go, there is a good chance that Barça could even get away with less. In short: things are actually looking very good in Europe!