The teams Barcelona will want to avoid in the Champions League
The draw will take place on Thursday evening, the last play-off matches are to be played tonight, and here are the teams Valverde will hope to avoid
We're approaching one of the most important moments in this early stage of the season. The draw for the Champions League group stage will take place on Thursday evening once tonight's matches are completed. We will then know the identity of the 32 teams who will make up the first important stage of the Champions League journey. As is the case every season, there are teams you would prefer to get and others you would rather avoid.
Ernesto Valverde and Barcelona will be in Pot One alongside Real Madrid, Atlético, Bayern, Manchester City, Juventus, PSG and Lokomotiv Moscow. Or the winners of LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Premier League, Russian League and the two sides with the highest coefficient.
Roma could be interesting
In Pot 2, all of which are potential opponents for FC Barcelona, you'll find: Dortmund, Porto, Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Napoli, Tottenham, Roma and Benfica or PAOK. There are plenty of difficult sides in there but maybe Roma are the most interesting - both for the players and the fans. They knocked Barcelona out of the competition last season and it would offer the perfect opportunity for revenge. Ancelotti's Napoli would also prove to be a tough test, especially in Italy. It might be the ideal time to play Manchester United after their poor start to the season. Shakhtar, in the Ukranian cold, wouldn't be ideal for the climate but are certainly beatable.
Tottenham are, without a doubt, one of the most difficult draws available. With their confidence sky high after a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford and a well-oiled team which knows each other well, Pochettino's side have lofty ambitions this season. PAOK, should they go through, wouldn't be easy either. They create a fantastic atmosphere in their home matches and made the headlines when their president, Ivan Savvidis, walked onto the pitch carrying a gun.
Liverpool are the team to avoid in Pot 3
In Pot 3 the side to avoid is most definitely Liverpool. Klopp's team, which made it to last season's final, have added Keita and Fabinho to an already lethal attacking trio of Salah, Firmino and Mane. Another side Barça would rather not be drawn against is Monaco, although they aren't as strong as they have been in recent years. CSKA Moscow, like Shakhtar, aren't a team to fear but a long and cold trip isn't ideal. Schalke, Lyon and Ajax are all beatable. BATE would be the perfect draw. Red Star Belgrade love to generate a fine atmosphere but they're also one of the easiest teams in the pot. Salzburg and PSV would also be favourable draws.
And lastly Pot 4. Valencia are obviously off-limits as they play in LaLiga. From the rest, Inter Milan are probably the worst possible opponent. Hoffenheim, Young Boys, Brugge and Viktoria Plsen offer nothing for Barça to fear. Galatasaray and AEK Athens could produce uncomfortable atmospheres but are both way below the level of a side with Barcelona's ambitions.
