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Spanish giant Barcelona‘s failure to get the vital three points against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night could have severe financial consequences for the struggling club.
After last night’s dramatic 3-3 draw at the Nou Camp, the Italian side could knock Barcelona out of the competition if they beat group minnows Viktoria Plzen at the San Siro next week.
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo have reported how much Barcelona stand to lose financially, unless they are able to win their final two games and other results go their way.
It’s claimed the club will lose £18.4million if they don’t reach the quarter-final stage of the tournament.
Barcelona spent over £132m on rebuilding Xavi’s team in the summer but to pay for the spending they have budgeted this season for the team to reach the last eight of the European competition as a minimum.
Progression now looks unlikely for Xavi’s side though, who also face the task of beating a Bayern Munich side who they have struggled against in recent seasons.
Should Barcelona finish third in their group they will therefore be demoted to the Europa League.
However, even if they were to win that competition, it wouldn’t be enough to fill the economic hole left by an early Champions League exit, with the winners of the Europa League set to earn around £13m.
Barcelona would earn around £8.4m if they reach the last 16 and a further £9.3m if they get to the quarter-finals.
From there they would get a further £11m for the semi finals, and £13.6m or £17.5m depending on if they won the final – if they were to get that far.
Barcelona fans had high hopes of a positive result against Inter Milan on Wednesday night, with the Serie A giants losing all five of their previous visits to the Nou Camp.
However, what ensued was a nerve-wrenching night where Barcelona looked to be on the cusp of elimination more than once.
Barcelona took the lead through Ousmane Dembele in the first 45, before second half goals from Nicolo Barella and Lautaro Martinez gave the visitors the lead.
Robert Lewandowski gave the Spanish side hopes of a dream comeback with an 82nd minute goal, only for Robin Gosens to score what looked like the winner with just one minute plus stoppage time to play.
Summer signing Lewandowski scored a 92nd minute equaliser to earn a point – though it might just be a delay to their exit if Inter Milan are able to win at the San Siro next week.