FC Barcelona are preparing for the upcoming Champions League draw, with hopes of ending their decade-long wait to lift the trophy. Despite winning three domestic titles in Hansi Flick’s first season in charge, their European run fell short, losing a dramatic semifinal to Inter Milan in extra time. Now, the Catalans are set for a new challenge under the competition’s league-phase format.

Barcelona back in Pot 1

After several years without top seeding, Barça return to Pot 1 thanks to their recent results and UEFA coefficient. This means they won’t face Real Madrid, but they will still be paired with two other heavyweights from the same pot. Potential rivals include Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea, Inter, and Borussia Dortmund.

Under the new format, Barça must face two teams from each pot, guaranteeing a demanding schedule from the start. While they topped the league table in last season’s group phase, this year’s edition promises to be even tougher.

Rivals to watch in the other pots

In Pot 2, the toughest opponents could be Arsenal, who reached the semifinals last season, and Juventus, back in strong form. Other possible matchups include Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, and Eintracht Frankfurt, with Tottenham also likely to feature in this pot.

Pot 3 offers further challenges with teams like Napoli, now established among Europe’s elite, and historic clubs such as Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. Other sides include Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Marseille, and Bodø/Glimt.

In Pot 4, Barça avoid Athletic Club but could still face tricky sides like Newcastle United, Galatasaray, Monaco, or Union Saint-Gilloise. While these teams are considered underdogs, they have the potential to complicate the phase.

A European challenge of the highest level

The upcoming Champions League will test Barcelona, who dream of reclaiming the trophy they last lifted in 2015. With strong opponents across all pots and the pressure of competing at the highest level, Hansi Flick’s side face a daunting yet thrilling path in Europe’s most prestigious competition—one that grows more competitive with every edition.