An insight into the financial stakes on the line when La Liga giants Barcelona face off against Napoli in two weeks’ time has this afternoon been provided.
Xavi’s troops, of course, are set to welcome the reigning Italian champions to Catalunya’s capital on March 12th, for the 2nd leg of the Champions League Last-16 tie between the clubs.
The matchup currently sits on a knife edge, after Robert Lewandowski’s opener was cancelled out by Victor Osimhen en route to a 1-1 first leg result in Naples.
With a surprise Champions League charge representing the club’s likeliest avenue towards silverware this season as things stand, all associated with Barcelona, in turn, will be nothing short of desperate for their side to get the job done back in Spain.
And yet, none will have their fingers crossed quite as tightly when it comes to as much as the board at the Camp Nou.
It is of course common knowledge that Barca have long been struggling from a financial standpoint, an issue which has given rise to a whole myriad of knock-on effects, chiefly on the pitch.
Safe to say, then, that Joan Laporta and co. have likely already set their sights firmly on the cash injection set to be afforded to any and all clubs who manage to navigate their way to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
As per a report from Mundo Deportivo, should the Blaugrana keep their continental adventure alive beyond the 12th of March, they will be entitled to a sum of around €10.6 million on the part of UEFA.
Not only that, but the ticket sales from a Last-8 clash with one of European football’s biggest clubs would also act as a welcome addition to the cobweb-filled coffers in Barcelona.
Conor Laird | GSFN