The Catalan giants will now play in the Europa League after Christmas

Barcelona have failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since the 2000/01 season after failing to beat Bayern Munich. The Catalan giants had to beat Bayern at the Allianz Arena and hope that Benfica would drop points in their fixture against Dynamo Kyiv, however, Barça were comfortably beaten by the German champions whilst Benfica also won Thomas Muller put the hosts in front despite Barcelona's best efforts to clear the ball off the line before Leroy Sane's thunderous strike just before the break. https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1468685119858921480 Jamal Musiala made certain of the win and condemned Barcelona to Europe's second-tier competition, where they will now face one of the runner's up from the groups in February time. Any slim hopes of Barça reaching the knockouts would have been dealt a bitter blow anyway as two goals in six minutes from Benfica secured their win over Kyiv. The Spanish side's group stage got off to the worst start possible after defeats to Bayern and Benfica left them with a tall order to qualify. Vital wins over Kyiv put the side back in contention for the knockouts , however their last two results were not enough, drawing at home to Benfica and then losing tonight (Wednesday). It's the latest disappointment in Barcelona's fall from grace after losing some of their best players due to financial troubles, the job for Xavi has now become far more eye-opening than before. With a young, raw squad that are currently seventh in La Liga, the Europa League may provide the Spaniard the best chance to win his first piece silverware as manager with his beloved club, and could be their route back to the Champions League should they win.