The best and worst possible raffle for candidates to win the Champions League

The Champions League 2025/26 is about to begin and this August 28 at the Grimaldi Forum of Monaco will take the draw of the League phase. UEFA will repeat the new format with 36 teams and a “Swiss League” system, where each club will play eight games against eight different rivals. The usual prohibition of matches between teams of the same association is maintained and only two teams of the same federation can be faced.

The first eight of the table will advance directly to the round of 16, while those located between the 9th and the 24th place must dispute a direct elimination playoff. With the definitive bombs confirmed, Luck can be decisive for the highest candidates for the title: PSG, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

PSG, defending champion, starts from Bombo 1 and is one of the great favorites, but an unfavorable draw could complicate the defense of his crown.

He worse scenario For the Parisians it would be to cross with Inter and Bayern of the same Bombo 1, added to Juventus and Atlético de Madrid of the Bombo 2, Napoli and Tottenham of the Bombo 3, in addition to Newcastle and Athletic of the Bombo 4. A complicated calendar that would test Luis Enrique and his squad.

Instead, its Best scenario It would be to face Dortmund and Inter in the upper area, much more approachable rivals, Together with Bruges and Eintracht of Bombo 2, Slavia Prague and Bodø/Glimt of Bombo 3, closing with Kirarat and Qarabag in Bombo 4. In that context, Dembelé and company would have the clear path to ensure a comfortable place among the first three.

Liverpool It also arrives as one of the great favorites and was reinforced to go for the seventh “orejona.” However, it could be caught in a “Fixture of death” If Barcelona or Real Madrid, Inter or Bayern del Bombo 1, Atlético de Madrid and Leverkusen of Bombo 2, Napoli and Marseille of Bombo 3, in addition to Galatasaray and Monaco in Bombo 4. It would be a very high wear phase for Slot.

Instead, with A favorable draw Before Dortmund and Inter on the top, adding Bruges and Eintracht in Bombo 2, Olympiacos and Bodø/Glimt in Bombo 3 and closing with pafos and Kaira, the Reds would have everything to finish among the first four with relative tranquility.

Barcelona and Real Madrid cross their fingers in the Champions draw

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona faces this Champions with renewed illusion, but the raffle will be key to its aspirations. A Very hard scenario For the Catalans it would be to cross PSG, Liverpool, more Juventus and Leverkusen, adding to Napoli, Ajax, Newcastle and Monaco in the remaining rounds.

If this occurs, Barça would be obliged to compete to the fullest to get among the best eight. But a favorable raffle, with Dortmund and Inter in the upper part, Bruges and Eintracht in Bombo 2, Slavia Prague and Bodø/Glimt in Bombo 3, along with pafos and Qarabag in Bombo 4, would allow the Blaugrana team to handle the efforts and point directly to the round of 16.

Finally, Real Madrid, King of Europe and always a candidate, also starts from Bombo 1, but is not exempt from falling into a calendar trap. In the worst scenario, I could face PSG and Bayern del Bombo 1, Arsenal and Juventus in Bombo 2, Napoli and Tottenham of the Bombo 3, closing with Monaco and Galatasaray of the Bombo 4. A very demanding path for Xabi Alonso.

Now, if the raffle smiles and assigns rivals such as Dortmund and Inter between the serial heads, witches and Eintracht in Bombo 2, Slavia Prague and Olympiacos in Bombo 3, plus pafos and Kaira in Bombo 4, the whites would have a much more manageable phase to consolidate their candidacy.

The finalist Inter has demonstrated in recent years that it is not a team to underestimate in the Champions League, but faces a sensitive decline: lAt the exit of Simone Inzaghi, the coach who led him to the top. Its absence opens doubts about whether the Nerazzurro team will be able to maintain the same competitive level, although it continues to have a hierarchy template.

For its part, the Atlético de Madrid by Diego Simeone is another rivals that the great will prefer to avoid in the hype 2. Despite its irregular start in LaLiga, the mattress team maintains its characteristic seal: intensity, defensive solidity and experience in European nights.

It will also be key to consider the local factor, a detail that can change the course of the League phase. It is not the same to receive Dortmund from visitor than having to face it as in the mythical Signal Iduna Park, where the pressure of the fans and the environment make any party become a battle.

This new Champions format promises strong emotions, long trips and unpublished crosses. In this edition, the difference between a favorable and a cruel raffle could define a good part of the season for the great candidates. This Thursday, PSG, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid will know their destination: if they begin the League with wind in favor … or if they must climb a real mountain from day one.