Champions League: Ranking 8 Remaining Teams' Chances Of Victory

5. Barcelona

Same old team, different Barcelona. In the past 3 to 4 years, Barcelona have been an unstoppable force in world football and even their name invoked fear in the strongest of teams. Their attacking flair was unparalleled, their defence was impenetrable and their midfield prowess was simply unmatched. The teams who actually put Barca away in this period of time were regarded as extremely lucky, or as having orchestrated huge upsets, unless they were legitimately the best team in world football (Bayern Munich). But the tables have turned for Barcelona and they now find themselves lagging behind Atletico Madrid in La Liga, who are ironically their Champions League quarter final opponents as well. While still having the same team plus tent-pole additions like Neymar, something is different with Barcelona FC and they just don't seem to be able to string together convincing victories like they did before. Perhaps that can be put down to simple lapses in form and concentration but their defence has been shakier and their forward play has been futile in certain games. Granted, star men Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have been injured for a while, but both were present in some of the games their side floundered in. While Barcelona don't look like favourites any more (unless you look to the bookies, where their profile continues to guide betting), there is a very popular footballing phrase which goes, "Form is temporary, but class is permanent." With the absence of goalkeeper Victor Valdes however, Barcelona fans will have to hope that Messi and crew bring their scoring boots as for once Barca look weaker going into the massive quarter final clash.