Who would have thought it a couple of years ago? If someone had told you that Hammers, then deeply embroiled in a relegation battle, might well be facing up to the mighty and legendary Barcelona in an 'elite' European Cup Competition, you might have thought that they needed sectioning under the mental health act!
Barca's 3-0 defeat at Bayern Munich, who had nothing to play for having won the group already, saw them finish third, behind Benfica. The last time they were not in the Champions League knockout stages was 2003-04, which was also their last season in the Uefa Cup/Europa League when they were eliminated by Celtic.The Last time they failed to qualify from a Champions League group was in 2000, when Leeds finished above them. Barca have won the tournament four times since then.
The weird thing is that Barcelona have to 'endure' a two legged play off, JUST to enable them to have the possibility of being able to play West Ham in the last sixteen! To say the turn around in the clubs' fortunes has been acute would be an understatement. Barca's fall from grace has mirrored Hammers rise to prominence by its intensity, that is not to say however that they would be 'easy meat' if they were to face David Moyes' Boys, but come on, Barcelona under the floodlights at the London Bowl?
Apart from Barcelona, RB Leipzig, Porto, Borussia Dortmund, Sheriff, Zenit St Petersburg, Sevilla and either Atalanta or Villarreal will ALL take place in the UEFA Europa League Cup play offs to reach the last 16.
Who would ever have thought it? You never know, but there might well be an uptake in the sales of those hideous half-and-half scarves if the fixture happens. I can confirm there will be at least one 'half & half' added to the Org's paraphernalia room! - LN
