Look out for Bojan, the latest star to come off the Barca production-line

 Barcelona’s threat in any competition can never be understated and even with notable injuries to Deco and Oleguer they’re short odds to win their second Champions League trophy in three years.

Schalke in the quarter-finals shouldn’t pose too much of a problem, even to a Barcelona team that have struggled to keep pace with Real Madrid in La Liga this year. They comfortably topped a group that included French giants Lyon, and were one of only three teams in the competition to survive the group stages without suffering defeat. In the last sixteen they dispatched Celtic with relative ease, and never really looked threatened even in front of the imposing Parkhead crowd.

Barcelona’s embarrassment of riches is famous. Alongside the forwards available to them during their successful campaign of 05-06 they now have the likes of Henry, and the next generation of talent in the form of Bojan and Dos Santos. Going forward they have the promise of being absolutely irresistible if everything clicks.

Defensively they possess some of the greatest names in world football, most notably Thuram, and club stalwart Puyol. Neither are as infallible as once they were, but with the likes of Zambrotta and Abidal down the flanks, and Marquez and Milito also in the squad, Barcelona are not exactly short of cover at the back.

There are, however, signs of unrest at the club. Persistent rumours of the manager leaving – to be replaced by Jose Mourinho some suggest – hint at discord behind the scenes. In La Liga they are seven points adrift of holders Real, even with the joint tightest defence in the league. Nonetheless, with the La Liga title looking increasingly unlikely, the club’s progress in the Champions League might dictate Rijkaard’s fate.

Rijkaard may prove to be something of a weakness in the armour. Obviously a great player, there remain some questions over his tactical ability against the very best managers that Europe can offer. The successful 06 campaign was conducted relatively comfortably throughout, in Rijkaard’s defence, however, with a squad of such talent, he will also suffer doubts against him as their pure ability should be deemed sufficient to ensure victory against most opponents.

Aside from their obvious quality, Barcelona have two distinct advantages that may yet see them claim the trophy. Firstly they have one of the biggest and most imposing stadiums in the world, sufficiently imposing to leave any football player in awe. Secondly, and probably more importantly they have a host of players that have experience at the very highest level. Five of the first team squad have played in and won World Cup finals, and they have retained the vast majority of the squad that went all the way two years ago.

Barcelona have the pure quality throughout their squad to pose a major threat to any other team in the tournament, and they will always carry the threat of one moment of magic to turn any tie. Whether they will be able to handle with the pace of Manchester United’s attack, or Arsenal’s movement remains to be seen.

Blue Square betting odds to win Champions League:  11/4