Barcelona Aim to Seal Last-16 Spot as Copenhagen Chase History
Barça look to avoid play-offs while Copenhagen still dream of progression
Barcelona will be looking to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 when they host Copenhagen in their final group-stage fixture — but the Danish champions still have plenty to play for as they chase a place in the play-offs.
Form & team news
Barcelona arrive in strong domestic form after a commanding 3-0 win over Real Oviedo, their 13th victory in their last 14 competitive matches. That result returned Hansi Flick’s side to the top of La Liga and maintained their impressive momentum heading into Europe.
In the Champions League, however, Barça currently sit just outside the top eight on goal difference, meaning failure to win could see them forced into the play-off round. They have kept their hopes alive with dramatic comeback victories over Eintracht Frankfurt (2-1) and Slavia Prague (4-2) in their last two European outings.
Nine consecutive home wins in all competitions provide confidence, although their only home defeat of the season came in this competition — a loss to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the group stage.
Copenhagen, meanwhile, sit just outside the top 24 solely on goal difference after posting a record of two wins, two draws and three defeats. The Danish side showed real resilience last time out, battling back with ten men to draw 1-1 with Napoli, a result that kept their play-off hopes alive.
Seven points from their last three Champions League matches gives Copenhagen the chance to extend their unbeaten run in the competition to four games for the first time ever. A shock win in Barcelona would also mark their first consecutive away victories in the Champions League proper, following their dramatic 3-2 win at Villarreal.
Head-to-head
Barcelona remain unbeaten in their two previous meetings with Copenhagen (one win, one draw) and have won both of their home Champions League matches against Danish opposition by a 2-0 scoreline.
Copenhagen’s overall record against Spanish sides makes tougher reading: just one win from 16 UEFA matches (six draws, nine defeats) — that solitary victory coming against Villarreal.
Key stats & trends
- Barcelona have averaged 3.3 goals per game across their last seven home Champions League group matches
- Both teams have scored in six of Barcelona’s seven Champions League games this season
- Nine of Copenhagen’s last 27 Champions League goals have come after the 80th minute
- Both teams have scored in four of Copenhagen’s last five matches in the competition
Players to watch
A goal from Robert Lewandowski is usually decisive — Barcelona have won 14 consecutive matches in which the striker has scored.
Copenhagen will look to Jordan Larsson to spoil that run. The son of former Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson has already scored three Champions League goals this season, helping the Danish champions remain unbeaten in those matches.
Absentees
- Frenkie de Jong is suspended for Barcelona
Thomas Delaney misses out for Copenhagen after his red card against Napoli
