The Champions League draw in Monaco has revealed FC Barcelona's opponents for the new league phase. The Blaugrana will face Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Benfica, Young Boys, Crvena Zvezda, Brest, and Monaco. Over the course of eight games between September and January next year, Barcelona's goal will be to secure one of the top eight spots, which would guarantee direct entry into the last 16. However, a finish between 9th and 24th would still provide a chance to progress via a play-off.
Barcelona's schedule includes four home matches and four away games, although the specific dates are yet to be determined. The teams that will travel to the Estadi Olímpic in Barcelona are Bayern Munich, Atalanta, Young Boys, and Brest. Meanwhile, Barcelona's away fixtures will be at Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund), the Estadio do Benfica (Benfica), the Estadio Marakana (Crvena Zvezda), and the Estadio Luis II (Monaco).
Facing two of Germany's most formidable teams, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, presents a significant challenge for Barcelona. Coach Hansi Flick knows Bayern Munich well, having managed the team during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, where he led them to a sextuple. Historically, Bayern has had the upper hand in European competitions against Barcelona, with 10 wins out of 13 encounters, leaving Barcelona with only two victories and one draw. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, is a less familiar opponent, with the most recent meetings occurring during the 2019/20 group stage, resulting in a 0-0 draw at Signal Iduna Park and a 3-1 win for Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou.
Barcelona will also face three new opponents in competitive play: Atalanta, Young Boys, and Brest. While previous results may not always predict current outcomes, these matches are expected to be challenging. Atalanta is the reigning Europa League champion, Young Boys are the current Swiss league champions, and Brest achieved their highest-ever finish in Ligue 1 last season, securing third place and qualifying for European competition for the first time.
Matches against Crvena Zvezda, Monaco, and Benfica will also be tough. Crvena Zvezda's stadium, the Estadio Marakana, is notoriously difficult for visiting teams due to its intense atmosphere. The Serbian club is the reigning SuperLiga champion and Serbian Cup holder, making them a formidable opponent. Monaco, who recently defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the Gamper Trophy at the Estadi Olímpic, has already shown their capability. Meanwhile, Benfica is a familiar opponent in European competition, with the two teams having met in previous Champions League campaigns. The head-to-head record between Barcelona and Benfica stands at one win, one defeat, and two draws.
After the draw, Barcelona's football coordinator, Bojan Krkic, shared his thoughts on the new format and the draw. He expressed optimism, saying that new things are always welcome and that Barcelona will compete, play, and enjoy the new format. For Bojan, the format itself is not the key issue; rather, the focus is on performing well and advancing as far as possible in the competition. He emphasized that representing a club like Barcelona in the Champions League requires total commitment and a strong desire to compete. Bojan downplayed the challenge posed by the tough opponents, stating that motivation is never an issue for games of this magnitude. He highlighted the importance of believing in the team, continuing to develop, and working together, which he believes is the most crucial aspect of success.
As Barcelona prepares to embark on this challenging journey, the team's focus will be on performing at their best in each match, regardless of the opponent. The new league phase format presents a unique challenge, but the Blaugrana are determined to make the most of it and aim for success in Europe's premier club competition.
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