Missing out on the knockout stages of the Champions League last season – the first time that had happened since the 2003-04 campaign – was considered the ultimate humiliation for Barcelona.
At a time when they were struggling domestically on the back of losing their greatest player of all time, and with their bleak financial situation there for all to see, finishing behind Benfica to drop into the Europa League was a nadir in the post-Messi era.
Almost a year on from then, with Xavi now settled in the technical area after replacing Ronald Koeman, things are a lot brighter for Barca both on and off the field. But while they may be top of LaLiga after a fine start to the campaign, they are once again at risk of missing out on post-Christmas football in UEFA s showpiec…