Three talking points from Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta

Hansi Flickās side finish off with a draw
Barcelona happy with second place
Barcelonaās draw with Atalanta finished off the teamās group phase and saw Hansi Flickās side finish second, behind only Liverpool in the standings, impressive stuff really from such a young side in Europeās top competition.
There was the chance to finish first but bear in mind Barca did head into the match with qualification already secured and, letās face it, Atalanta are no pushovers and won the Europa League in thrilling style last season.
Outstanding league phase performance! pic.twitter.com/Mx1CGW785G
ā FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 29, 2025
Hansi Flick declared himself happy with Barcaās group campaign afterwards: āIām satisfied with the result. We played well against a good team with a great playing philosophy ... I am happy for the team, for the fans and for the club.ā
And Lamine Yamal also felt it was a good result despite not managing to take the win.
āWe knew that Liverpool were losing, but it was also important not to lose second place,ā he added. āWe needed the win, but it was a draw and we are happy. We wanted to win, of course, but thatās okay.ā
Group winners Liverpool are now the favourites to lift the trophy but will be on the opposite side of the draw, meaning they canāt meet Barcelona until the final.
Araujo in the spotlight
Ronald Araujo was in the starting XI again on Wednesday as Pau Cubarsi was given a much-needed breather and also bagged his first Champions League goal for Barcelona.
The defender stooped to head home at the far post in the second half and his celebration caught the eye as he thumped his chest and seemed to gesture that heās staying right here.
Araujo has recently signed a new contract at the club but with a massively reduced release clause which has raised questions about his long-term commitment to the club.
Noche de Champions en casa ļø
ā Ronald Araujo (@RonaldAraujo_4) January 30, 2025
Buena fase clasificatoria del equipo.
Octavos, allĆ” vamos! #lucas18_27 pic.twitter.com/C44fc6ufdY
Yet the defender seemed to shut those down afterwards when quizzed on the situation.
āIf it depends on me, Iām sure Iāll be here for many years. You donāt know what I did to be here. I donāt know what has come out, but there is Ronald in Barcelona for a while,ā he told reporters.
āNot everything that is said is true, I have always given my life for this club, in every sense, since I arrived in 2018. I have played injured, operated⦠I gave my life and I will always continue to give it. I am very happy here in Barcelona, āāwe did a great job and now I feel valued.ā
Araujo is enjoying regular football but it will be interesting to see what happens when Inigo Martinez returns to full fitness after injury.
Familiar faces await in last 16
Barcelonaās progression into the last 16 means they will face one of the following for a place in the quarter-finals: Benfica, Brest, Monaco or PSG.
All four teams will be familiar to Barcelona after recent European meetings. Barca have already played Benfica, Brest and Monaco in this seasonās tournament, while they were knocked out by Luis Enriqueās PSG last year.
BarƧa to face one of the following teams in the @ChampionsLeague last 16: pic.twitter.com/eh5meCckLS
ā FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 29, 2025
āNow weāll see what the route forward is,ā said Hansi Flick. āWe canāt change these things and weāll just wait to see what the draw gives us. Thatās OK. There are a lot of big, big clubs. The next round will be really tough.ā
The last 16 does promise to be a tricky test for Barcelona but certainly one they can approach with positivity and optimism.
Flickās side beat Brest and Benfica in the group stages and will feel the game against Monaco might not have ended in defeat had Eric Garcia not been sent off early on.
Barcaās defeat to PSG last year also saw a costly red card, to Ronald Araujo, and you canāt help but feel the Catalans may just relish taking on Luis Enriqueās side once again.
Source: barcablaugranes.com
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