How Bayer Leverkusen Pose A Threat To Barcelona’s 2024-25 UCL Hopes

Barcelona’s aspirations to compete in the Champions League as a top draw team in 2024–25 may be dashed by Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen are churning out a remarkable season, both in Europe and Germany, which could inadvertently have adverse repercussions for Barcelona. According to Marca, Alonso’s formidable team remains poised to jeopardise the status of Xavi’s men as top seeds in the forthcoming Champions League campaign by displacing them from Pot 1.

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The winners of the Europa League and the Champions League, as well as the champions of Europe’s top leagues, were formerly placed in Pot 1 of the Champions League draw. For the 2024–25 season, a new seeding system has been implemented, however, in which the 36 competing teams will be split into four pots according to their cumulative UEFA coefficient over the previous five seasons.

As a result, eight teams have already secured a “fixed place” in Pot 1, including powerhouses such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund.

The determining factor for seeding status from the next season is the UEFA coefficient, and here lies the potential threat to Barcelona’s position. Bayer Leverkusen currently boasts an impressive coefficient of 88,000 points, perilously close to Barcelona’s 91,000 points. Should Leverkusen emerge victorious against Roma in the second leg of the semi-finals, that would see them match Barcelona’s coefficient, whereas a draw in the final within regulation time would likely see them surpass the Catalan giants. Moreover, in the event of a tie, UEFA may prioritise Bayer Leverkusen due to their status as Bundesliga champions.

However, there exists another unforeseen scenario that could further complicate matters. If Roma, despite their current deficit against Leverkusen, manages to overcome the odds and eliminate Leverkusen, both Barcelona and Leverkusen could find themselves outside of Pot 1. Roma by virtue of being champions of the 2021-22 Conference League and finalists of the previous Europa League, currently possess the seventh-best UEFA coefficient, making them formidable contenders for a top-seed position. They are currently in the fifth position in the Serie A table and if they hold on to their spot, they are guaranteed a place in the 2024-25 Champions League. Alternatively, they can qualify for the top-flight by winning the Europa League.

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The final seeding positions will be greatly influenced by the results of crucial matches and league standings as the competition for Champions League qualifying heats up. With a chance to join Europe’s best teams in Pot 1 of the Champions League draw for the 2024–25 season, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen have a great deal on the line.