Barcelona’s Champions League Group Stage Draw

This year’s Champions League competition is currently full of questions when it comes to FC Barcelona – Who will lead the team in Europe this season? How far can Barça get this year? How will other top teams fare?

One question that was on many a fan’s mind was answered last night, as the group stage draw revealed Barcelona’s group – actually a very favorable one this year.

Barça have been placed in group H, alongside Porto, Shakhtar, and Antwerp. Despite the pessimism of many who expected the Catalans to be placed in another “group of death”, it must be said this is one of the easiest groups for them.

Porto finished 2nd last season in Portugal, and are definitely the biggest opposition within the group. Former blaugrana Nico González and his new team will look to threaten Barça, but with the quality at Xavi’s disposal, it should in theory result in Barcelona victories. However, they can’t be complacent, as Porto can be dangerous.

Shakhtar, who will be playing their matches in Hamburg, topped the Ukrainian Premier League standings last season. Antwerp finished third in the Belgian Pro League.

It seems, at least on paper, that Barça have lucked out and should easily make it to the knockout rounds. Xavi’s job as Barcelona manager has never seriously been in any question, but if they fail for the second consecutive year to advance and drop down once again to the Europa League, it must be said there will be questions.

In other news, the “group of death” this year is surely group F, featuring PSG, Newcastle, AC Milan, and Dortmund. It’s quite likely that a team like PSG could go out in the group stage, and that would definitely be quite the development.

Real Madrid will face off against Napoli, winners of the Scudetto last year. Atlético Madrid also have a relatively easy group.

Do you think Barcelona will make it out of the group stage? Let us know your thoughts on the draw in the comments below.