Barcelona have €27 million at stake in their final two Champions League group games | OneFootball

The UEFA Champions League returns following the break for the Christmas holidays. Two group-stage matches remain in January under this season’s new format, with much at stake.

The top eight teams will progress directly to the knockout stage, while teams finishing from ninth to 24th will compete in a play-off to secure their place in the next phase.

Beyond the sporting implications, however, the financial aspect is equally important, as significant sums of money are involved.

€27 million on the line for Barcelona

As reported by MARCA, Barcelona have as much as €27 million at stake in their upcoming matches against Benfica and Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League

The Blaugrana’s primary objective is to finish top of their group – currently, they sit second, behind Liverpool.

Finishing first would earn the Catalans a €10 million reward. If they fail to top the group, the financial reward diminishes progressively. Furthermore, finishing in the top eight comes with an additional €2 million bonus.

In addition to this, Barcelona stand to earn a further €4.2 million if they win both of their remaining group-stage matches, as each victory in this round is worth €2.1 million.

Barcelona are back in UCL action tomorrow. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Lastly, securing qualification for the knockout rounds would earn the club €11 million – taking the total to €27.2 million.

Barcelona have already mathematically qualified for the playoffs, meaning that even if they do not finish in the top eight, they still have the opportunity to claim this financial reward by winning their subsequent knockout tie.

Group-Stage earnings so far

To date, Barcelona have pocketed €29.12 million through their participation in the group stage of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

This includes €18.62 million for taking part in the group phase and €10.5 million for the five victories they have achieved thus far.

In total, Barcelona could earn as much as €56.12 million by the end of the group stage – a significant sum, particularly in light of the financial difficulties the club has faced in recent years.

Barça take on SL Benfica away from home tomorrow night before facing Atalanta at Montjuic, next week on January 29.