Barcelona’s Journey in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League
After a thrilling and explosive league phase, Barcelona now stands poised and ready for the Round of 16, emerging as one of the top title contenders in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. New manager Hansi Flick has skillfully navigated the club’s delicate financial situation, introducing key signings and boosting individual performances. The resurgence of Robert Lewandowski to his peak form and Raphinha’s Ballon d’Or-caliber season have been instrumental in securing the Catalan giants’ impressive second-place finish in the league phase standings. Flick, who led Bayern Munich to Champions League glory in 2020, brings a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to the team. Barcelona’s last deep run in the competition was in 2019, and their last title win was in 2015. The club is determined to change this narrative and push further into the knockout stages as part of UEFA’s newly expanded tournament.
The Round of 16 and Beyond: Barcelona’s Possible Opponents
The new Champions League format, which constructs nearly the entire bracket ahead of the knockout phase, introduces a unique element of suspense and strategy. The Round of 16 draw, scheduled for February 21, 2025, will determine the seeded positions for each of the top eight finishers from the league phase. Once these positions are set, the entire bracket will be finalized, and the pathway for every club will be clear. Barcelona’s potential Round of 16 opponents include Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Brest, Monaco, and Benfica. If they progress through the quarterfinals, they could face Lille, Aston Villa, Club Brugge, Atalanta, Sporting CP, or Borussia Dortmund. The semifinals and finals will see them up against any remaining knockout qualifiers, adding layers of difficulty and excitement to their championship aspirations.
Barcelona’s League Phase Campaign: A Recap
Barcelona’s league phase campaign was a mix of dominating victories and hard-fought draws. On matchday three, they welcomed the heavyweights of Bayern Munich and secured a decisive 4-1 victory, a significant moment under Flick’s leadership. The team’s home form was particularly strong, with a 5-0 thrashing of Young Boys and a 3-0 win over Brest. Away fixtures also proved successful, with a 2-1 loss to Monaco being the only blemish. Barcelona managed to secure a hard-fought point against Europa League winners Atalanta in their final league phase match at home, ending the phase with a 2-2 draw. These matches highlighted the team’s resilience and the quality of their attacking prowess, with Lewandowski and Raphinha leading the charge.
How to Buy Champions League Tickets for the 2024/25 Season
Once dates and times for Champions League fixtures are confirmed, the ticket purchasing process will begin. Unlike the final, tickets for other European matches cannot be bought directly from UEFA. Instead, the primary ticket sales are handled by the participating clubs themselves, allowing fans to access them seamlessly just as they would for other matches. Once the tickets are distributed, fans who missed out on the initial sale can still get their hands on tickets through the secondary market. StubHub International is a trusted platform for finding tickets to Champions League games, ensuring that supporters have a reliable option to attend the exciting matches.
2024/25 UEFA Champions League Format: A New Era
This season marks a significant change in the Champions League format. The traditional group stage has been replaced with a new ‘league phase’ as the number of competing teams increases from 32 to 36. In the past, 32 teams were drawn into eight groups of four, with seedings determining the groups. Now, all 36 teams are placed in a single league, where each team will face eight others (four at home, four away). Wins earn three points, and draws one point. The top eight teams in the league phase will qualify for the Round of 16 automatically, while those placed 9th to 24th will face a playoff to reach the knockout phase. This format aims to create a more competitive and exciting tournament, with every match carrying weight and significance.
How to Watch Champions League Matches Around the World
Fans eager to catch every exciting moment of the UEFA Champions League can tune in through various platforms depending on their location. In Europe, the competition is primarily broadcast on TNT and TUDN, while in North America, Univision and CBS Sports have the rights. In Asia, fans can watch matches on Viu and beIN Sports, and in Australia, Optus Sport provides coverage. For those in the Middle East and North Africa, beIN Sports is the go-to channel, and in South America, TNT Sports and TUDN offer extensive coverage. These broadcasting deals ensure that supporters worldwide can stay connected to the action and cheer on their favorite teams, including the formidable Barcelona.
