Euro giants major threat to Rangers’ Europa League dream after thrashing

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Rangers fans might have begun to dream in the Europa League, but in the mighty Barcelona the Ibrox side may well meet a challenging Finalist should they go all the way in the competition.

A team in disarray at the beginning of the season, Messi-less and in billions of debt, it looked like the Spanish giants would be a team on the slide in the coming seasons.

Step forward Xavi Hernandez.

The legendary ex-Barca playmaker won it all with the club during his playing days – and with the Spain national team – and he returned in November to replace the unpopular Ronald Koeman.

Since then the little magician has worked his magic as a manager too to turn things around at Barcelona and galvanise a club, support and team who only a couple of months ago looked bereft of confidence.

The January signings of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Adama Traore have certainly helped too.

Culminating in a stunning 4-0 victory over arch-rivals and La Liga leaders Real Madrid, it’s symbolic of the progress at Barcelona and sent a message to Rangers fans about who’re the favourites for the Europa League.

January signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got a double whilst Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres got the other goals in a legendary victory in the Bernebeu.

Rangers fans will have one eye on resurgent Barcelona in Europa League

Set to play German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt in the Quarter Final of the Europa League, many Rangers fans will have Barcelona signposted as potential finalists.

If the Spanish giants can get past Frankfurt, then they will play the winner of Lyon’s clash with Premier League side West Ham.

Rangers – who have a doubleheader against a talented if not familiar Braga team – will play the winner of Atalanta and RB Leipzig, should the Gers get to the semi.

In what promises to be an enthralling competition this season, the Europa League will be sure to throw up some more surprises yet.

But for Rangers fans who’re daring to dream of a trip to Sevilla in mid-May, there’s a growing sentiment that if they’d be playing anyone it would be a resurgent Barcelona.

The fact it’s a club also synonymous with Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst adds an extra degree of poetry to the entire thing.

Rangers are still a long-ways away from any final and have a tough tie to focus on with Braga first; here’s how the Portuguese side got on in their latest league match.