Messi Understands Why Barcelona Are Not Favorites in the Champions League

DBasia.news –  Barcelona hasn’t been able to trace the Champions League final since 2014/2015.  This season Lionel Messi also recognizes and understands why his team is no longer a champion favorite.

 Barcelona last lifted the Champions League trophy in the 2014/2015 season.  In that season, the Blaugrana won the treble under the direction of Luis Enrique.

 Four seasons later, Barcelona was unable to reach the final.  Messi et al stopped three times in the quarterfinals and once ran aground in the semifinals.

 Even more, stifling for Barcelona is a way out in the last two seasons.  Last season they were sacked by Liverpool after winning 3-0 in the first leg (3-4 on aggregate), while the previous season was eliminated by AS Roma after winning 4-1 at the first meeting (4-4 on aggregate, losing on away goals).

 This season, Barcelona will face Napoli in the last 16.  But Messi admitted his team was not at the level to hunt for the title.

 “If we want to target the Champions League title, we need to continue the growth of the team. Because I think at this time, we are not at the level to fight for the title,” he was quoted as saying by ESPN.

 Kans Barcelona stepped up to the top of the party is difficult if you weigh the squad that was limping.  Los Cules is expected to lose Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele until the season ends.