Barcelona found their opponents for the 2026-27 Champions League this week as Europe’s premier membership competitors prepares to kick off as soon as once more.
Hansi Flick’s side face some tough testing fixtures, with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester Metropolis to return, together with video games in opposition to Galatasaray and Como.
Barca’s fixture listing definitely isn’t simple however it’s not the hardest, notably because the Catalans will probably be assured when developing in opposition to lower-ranked groups comparable to Feyenoord, Sporting and Sabah.
Which Pot 1 Workforce Has the Hardest Draw?
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Of all the highest groups in Pot 1, it appears to be like as if Enzo Maresca’s Manchester Metropolis have been handed the hardest draw.
The Cityzens play defending champions PSG, will journey to Barcelona for the Rodri derby and in addition face journeys to Porto, RB Leipzig and Lens. Sporting and Napoli at residence are Metropolis’s two different fixtures as they head right into a season of transition following the departure of Pep Guardiola and a busy summer season of ins and outs within the switch window.
Barcelona followers received’t be in any respect unhappy to see that Atletico Madrid have been handed a testing draw after making it to the semi-finals final season. Diego Simeone’s facet host Bayern, Man Utd, Fenerbahce and Viking and face journeys to Liverpool, PSV, Bodo/Glimt and Stuttgart.
Manchester United have additionally been handed some daunting fixtures on their return to the Champions League. The Purple Devils host Bayern, Roma, RB Leipzig and Sabah and can take pleasure in journeys to Atletico, Sporting, Villarreal and Como.
But the hardest draw of all undoubtedly belongs to Sabah. The UCL debutants have been solely based in 2017 however have loved a fast rise. They’ll now get to play among the many elite and can tackle a number of the largest identify within the recreation. Sabah have been drawn in opposition to Barcelona, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Man Utd, Napoli, Villarreal, Slavia Prague and Viking
Should-Watch UCL Video games Coming Up
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This recreation wants no introduction and can see loads of acquainted faces as Luis Enrique comes up in opposition to his former group as soon as once more. The match will even see Ferran Torres and Dro Fernandez tackle their outdated group together with Ousmane Dembele. Barca misplaced 2-1 to PSG within the competitors final season and can out be out for revenge after being paired collectively once more.
Final season’s crushed finalists Arsenal have been linked with a shock transfer for Vinicius Jr over the summer season however Gooners then needed to watch because the Brazilian penned a brand new deal on the Santiago Bernabeu. Vinicius Jr can subsequently count on a sizzling reception when Arsenal host Madrid on the Emirates Stadium, whereas the Gunners would additionally absolutely like to get one over former Chelsea and Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho.
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Barcelona’s conflict with Manchester Metropolis is one other recreation to not be missed as Rodri makes a swift return to his former facet. Metropolis waved goodbye to Pep Guardiola over the summer season and changed their legendary coach with Enzo Maresca. Key gamers have additionally adopted Pep out of the exit door, though Metropolis have invested closely within the squad as soon as once more. With Erling Haaland round Metropolis will at all times present an actual risk, and an enchanting match-up awaits at Camp Nou.
Manchester United’s match-up in opposition to Bayern will evoke reminiscences of the 1999 last when the Bavarian giants thought that they had received it however have been undone by late, late targets from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. A lot has modified for each golf equipment since then, and Bayern will probably be favourites, however the Purple Devils could fancy their possibilities below the lights at Previous Trafford.
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Cesc Fabregas has taken Como into the Champions League for the primary time of their historical past and can relish the prospect of returning to the Camp Nou. The membership’s former midfielder has been tipped to be a Barcelona boss of the longer term and is definitely doing a effective job with the Serie A facet. He’s now about to expertise life as a supervisor within the Champions League and should be taught so much from a conflict with Hansi Flick’s facet.
Who do you suppose has the hardest UCL draw and which fixtures are you most wanting ahead to watching? Share your ideas within the feedback under!
