Barcelona are out of Champions League but the future looks bright

CAIRO-11 March 2021: Barcelona failed to reach the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals this season after being knocked out by Paris Saint Germain in the round of 16. 

 

This result means that Lionel Messi and co will be out of the competition's quarter-finals for the first time since 2006-2007 season. 

 

Messi and Barcelona have been suffering in the recent seasons in the competition. 

 

The Azulgrana failed to reach the podium in the competition since 2015 and the last six seasons saw a decline for the Catalans in the competition.

 

Barcelona endured many dark nights in the competition, having suffered humiliating comebacks against Roma and Liverpool in 2018 and 2019 despite having a comfortable lead at home in the first leg. 

 

Last season, Barcelona were crushed by Bayern Munich after losing 8-2 in a result that will stay in the memory of the fans for a long time. 

 

This season, Barcelona lost the first leg against PSG at home 4-1 and everyone expected another humiliating night for the Catalans in the second leg in Paris but what happened was completely different. 

 

Barcelona had a strong start to the game and the impossible seemed in the hands of the Catalans who played a beautiful football and kept the home team under pressure. 

 

Ousmane Dembele missed clear chances to open the score and PSG's goalkeeper Keylor Navas was the hero for the Parisians with many amazing saves. 

 

Despite Barcelona's amazing performance, they were one goal behind as Mbappe scored from the spot after 30 minutes but the Catalans bounced back with a screamer from Messi. 

 

Barcelona were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds of the first half but Messi failed to convert it and Navas' save kept the score 1-1 at half time. 

 

In the second half, Barcelona upped their pressure but all their chances were blocked by the defense of PSG who had a fantastic game. 

 

Barcelona were knocked out of the competition but they proved that the team has seen many improvements since the start of the season. 

 

Earlier this week, Barcelona saw the return of their iconic president Juan Laporta to the driving wheel after winning the elections and led the team's delegation to Paris. 

 

 With many youngsters coming through the club rankings and Laporta's efforts to renew Messi's contract, the future seems brighter for the Catalan giants. 

 

Barcelona still have two competitions to fight at as they are second in La Liga, five points behind the leaders Atletico Madrid. 

 

Also, Barcelona will face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final and the fans believe that finishing the season with a title would be a huge success for Ronald Koeman and his players.