Barcelona have been drawn along with Bayern Munich, Benfica and Dynamo Kiev in Group E of the Champions League.
The Catalan giants have typically been Spain’s highest ranked facet in Champions League attracts, however their failures final season meant they have been in pot 2 this time. Ronald Koeman’s facet is making an attempt to win the competitors for the primary time since 2015, however has a tough group to barter in the event that they ought to advance to the knockout stage.
As typical, the group recreation within the Champions League begins in mid-September and ends in the primary week of December.
Barcelona’s actual match listing will likely be confirmed finally, however overcoming a Bayern facet run by Robert Lewandowski and managed by Julian Nagelsmann will likely be their hardest take a look at. Benfica and Dynamo Kiev are each former contributors within the knockout levels meanwhile and is not going to be missed.
Barça once more certified for Europe’s elite membership competitors by ending third in La Liga final season, though their efficiency within the event in current seasons has been disappointing.
They have been dumped within the spherical of 16 by Paris Saint-Germain final season and misplaced a whole of 5-2 with Kylian Mbappe scoring 4 of the Ligue 1 giants’ targets. The season earlier than that, they have been humiliated by Bayern Munich and misplaced 8-2 within the semifinals.
There is not any Lionel Messi for Ronald Koeman this yr / David Ramos / Getty Images
This season will likely be the primary time this yr that Barça has performed within the Champions League with out Lionel Messi. The Argentine legend left the membership earlier this summer time and accomplished a switch to PSG.
Instead of Messi, supervisor Koeman will look to Memphis Depay, Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong to make them European glory.
For extra from Jude Summerfield, observe him on Twitter!
