Barcelona's most formidable side in post-Messi era

Failing a collapse at Borussia Dortmund today, Hansi Flick (right) has Barcelona on track for the Champions League semifinals and a return to the European elite after a rocky decade in Catalonia.

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A semifinal placing, where Barcelona would likely be favourites to make the final, would represent the high-water mark so far for the Catalan giants in the post-Lionel Messi era.

Four points clear of Real Madrid in the league with seven games remaining, and also facing Los Blancos in the Copa del Ray final, Barcelona are enjoying their best season since Messi's departure.

Since winning it all in Berlin in 2015, Barcelona have only once made it back to the semifinals of the Champions League. That came in 2018-19, although the match-up is one the Catalans would rather forget.

In that tie, Barcelona became a footnote in the story of an incredible comeback from title-bound Liverpool, letting a 3-0 first-leg win slip in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield.