Barcelona are heading into this week’s clash with Chelsea in confident mood, believing it could be key to progression in the Champions League.
[That’s according to AS.](https://as.com/futbol/la-arenga-del-vestuario-si-puntuamos-en-londres-clasificados-f202511-n/?ssm=TW_CC) They report that there is a ‘dressing room rally cry’ taking place at Barcelona ahead of the game.
Barcelona’s squad are living with a mantra of “if we get points in London, we’re through.”
The squad see the game against Chelsea as crucial to avoiding the Champions League play-offs. A victory, or even a draw, would significantly increase their chances of finishing in the top eight.
They’re already doing the math and calculating the team’s chances of ‘avoiding the hassle’ of playing a play-off in February. Barcelona are currently in 11th place with seven points, two behind eighth placed Liverpool and tied with Real Madrid, Newcastle and PSG.
The dressing room is at least clear that defeat to Chelsea is not an option. That would ‘greatly complicate’ matters and their chances of finishing in the top eight. The belief is that they need 17 points, and to reach that number, they need at least a draw in London.
A win, however, would ‘open a veritable highway’ for the Blaugrana. That would leave them on ten points from five and with 19 points as an easily achievable target.
Thus, the mantra has become “if we get points in London, we’ll qualify”. It’s up to Chelsea to stop that happening.