Soccer-Barcelona eye Champions league knockout stage as they face Shakhtar

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona Training - Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Barcelona, Spain - November 3, 2023 Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez during training REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo

(Reuters) - Barcelona will seek to clinch a place in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in three seasons when they face Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk in Hamburg on Tuesday.

The Spaniards, who beat Shakhtar 2-1 at home last month, top Group H with nine points from three games. They are three points above rivals Porto and six ahead of the Ukrainians in third.