How Viktoria Plzen Can Keep Barcelona’s Champions League Hopes Alive

How Viktoria Plzen Can Keep Barcelona’s Champions League Hopes Alive

Isaac Darko
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:15 PM
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  • Barcelona are on the verge of Champions League elimination after they failed to secure a win at home against Inter Milan
  • The La Liga giants were held to a 3-3 draw by Inter Milan and will need Viktoria Plzen to at least hold the Italian giants to a draw to keep their hopes of progressing alive
  • Barcelona will now need at least four points in their next two games and also hope that Inter Milan lose their remaining two games

Five-time European champions Barcelona are looking formidable once again following their impressive back-to-back victories in the Spanish Primera division, scoring at least three goals per game.

However, the Catalan giants are teetering on the edges of failing to progress to the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League for the second season in succession.

The 2015 Champions League winners face the prospect of exiting the 2022/23 edition following their disappointing 3-3 draw with Inter Milan two weeks ago.

Viktoria Plzen, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich
Barcelona's survival in the Champions League rests on the shoulders of Czech Republic minnows Viktoria PIzen. Photo by Jose Breton. Credit: @fcviktoria_en
Source: Getty Images

While a defeat to Inter would have eliminated the 2015 European champions immediately, a draw keeps the Blaugrana in the hunt for a place in the round of 16.

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With Bayern Munich thrashing Viktoria Plzen 4-1 to already book their place in the knockout stage, Barcelona still stand a chance of finishing second in Group C.

Xavi Hernandez and his men are struggling in Europe this campaign, and their survival in the competition rests on the shoulders of the Czech Republic minnows. They currently lie third on the table and three points shy of Inter.

Before the LaLiga giants step on the pitch to face Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, their fate in Europe's biggest club competition would already be decided in Italy.

Inter Milan will cross swords against Viktoria PIzen in the early kick-off at the San Siro.

How PIzen can help Barcelona

1. Share the spoils with Inter. Barcelona could stand a chance if Plzen hold the Nerazzurri to a draw. Sharing the points at San Siro will allow allow Barcelona will remain in the competition if they beat Bayern Munich at Camp Nou.

2. Defeat Inter. Should Inter Milan suffer a defeat at home to Plzen, the Blaugran will draw level on points with the 2010 European champions.. Again, that's the Catalans beat the Bavarians at Camp Nou.

The odds, however, don't seem in favour of Barcelona. With PIzen losing every Champions League game this season and conceding 16 goals and scoring just only 3, Barcelona progressing to the next round looks unlikely.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's poor run against Bayern Munich in Europe for the past two years remains a big concern. The Camp Nout outfit have lost their last 4 games against the Bavarians scoring just twice in the 8-2 back in 2020.

Barcelona Handed Champions League Boost

Sports Brief earlier reported that Bayern Munich will head into their UEFA Champions League game against Barcelona without three of their star players.

The game isn’t as crucial for Bayern, as they have already qualified for the Round of 16, but it is a do-or-die fixture for Barcelona.

As reported by Barca Universal, captain Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sané, and Lucas Hernandez will all miss the trip to Camp Nou through varying injuries.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)
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