How Real Madrid and Barcelona could face off in the Champions League this season? | OneFootball

Real Madrid have officially booked their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 after overcoming Manchester City in the playoffs.

With this hurdle cleared, all eyes are now on the upcoming draw, which will set the path for every team from the round of 16 all the way to the final under the competition’s revamped format.

Barcelona, having finished second in the league phase, secured direct qualification to the round of 16 and avoided the play-in stage. This ensures that they will be positioned at the top of the draw on one of the two sides.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s involvement in the play-in round has placed them on the left side of the draw. Their round of 16 opponent will emerge from the clash between Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen.

Can there be an El Clasico in UCL?

With that in mind, the burning question remains—could there be a Champions League El Clasico? The answer is yes, but the timing depends entirely on the draw.

There can be an El Clasico in UCL this season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The first possible meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid would not happen before the semi-finals.

If Barcelona are placed on the left side of the draw, alongside PSG, their path to the semi-finals would involve overcoming the French giants in the round of 16 and then facing the winner of the tie between Club Brugge and either Lille or Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.

At the same time, Real Madrid would need to defeat either Atletico or Leverkusen and then get past the winner of the tie between PSV and Arsenal or Inter Milan.

The alternative Clasico

Alternatively, if the draw places Barcelona on the right side, where their round of 16 opponent would be Benfica, then the only possible El Clasico in the competition would take place in the final.

Everything now hinges on how the draw unfolds, as the Champions League knockout stage promises thrilling encounters and the potential for another high-stakes showdown between Spain’s biggest rivals.