Real Madrid and Barcelona learn fate after UEFA Champions League draw
The five La Liga sides taking part in the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League have learnt their fate after the draw for the continental showpiece took place on Thursday evening.
Xabi Alonso speaks to reporters at Real MadridReal Madrid
Real Madrid's Champions League draw is a daunting one.
Xabi Alonso's side welcome tough rivals Manchester City, Juventus, Marseille, and Monaco. Their away assignments include Liverpool - where the subplot of Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving the red of Anfield for the white of the Spanish capital adds narrative spice - plus trips to Benfica, Olympiacos, and a demanding journey to Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan.
In the 2024/25 edition, Real's Champions League journey ended in the quarter-finals, where they were comprehensively defeated by Arsenal with a 5-1 aggregate loss.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, they also fell short in domestic finals, losing both the Supercopa and Copa del Rey to Barcelona.
The campaign wrapped a transitional season that saw Ancelotti depart, handing the reins to Alonso.
Barcelona
Barca's draw feels more balanced, with home games against PSG, Eintracht Frankfurt, Olympiacos, and Copenhagen. Their away matches will pit them against Chelsea and Newcastle - two physical Premier League tests - as well as Club Brugge and Slavia Prague.
The Blaugrana, steered by Hansi Flick, enjoyed their most successful campaign since 2015/16, claiming a domestic treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Supercopa) and advancing to the semi-finals of the Champions League, where they were edged out by Inter Milan.
Their European run included a quarter-final demolition of Borussia Dortmund (4-0 at home) before a 3-1 loss away, enough to advance 5-3 on aggregate.
Atletico Madrid
Atleti were drawn into a competitive group with heavyweights and resilient challengers. At home, they'll welcome Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bodo/Glimt, and Union Saint-Gilloise. Their away games include tough trips to face Liverpool, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, and Galatasaray.
Villarreal
Villarreal face a notably balanced yet formidable lineup. At Estadio de la Ceramica, they'll host Manchester City, Juventus, Ajax, and Copenhagen. On the road, they'll go up against Borussia Dortmund, Leverkusen, Tottenham, and Pafos.
Athletic Club
The Basques' return to the Champions League brings a mixture of heavyweight clashes and fairly winnable fixtures. They'll host PSG, Arsenal, Sporting CP, and Qarabag at San Mames-stadium high-drama guaranteed. Their away trips include matches with Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Slavia Prague, and Newcastle United, offering a punishing travel schedule and tough opponents.