How Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen pose a serious threat to Barcelona's 2024-25 Champions League hopes - explained

Bayer Leverkusen are churning out a remarkable season, both in Europe and Germany, which could inadvertently have adverse repercussions for Barcelona. According to Marca, Alonso's formidable team remains poised to jeopardise the status of Xavi's men as top seeds in the forthcoming Champions League campaign by displacing them from Pot 1.

Traditionally, Pot 1 in the Champions League draw was reserved for the champions of Europe's top leagues, alongside the winners of the Champions League and the Europa League. However, a new seeding system has been introduced for the 2024-25 season, where the 36 participating teams will be divided into four pots based on their UEFA coefficient accumulated over the past five seasons.

As a result, eight teams have already secured a "fixed place" in Pot 1, including powerhouses such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool, Inter Milan, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund.

The determining factor for seeding status from the next season is the UEFA coefficient, and here lies the potential threat to Barcelona's position. Bayer Leverkusen currently boasts an impressive coefficient of 88,000 points, perilously close to Barcelona's 91,000 points. Should Leverkusen emerge victorious against Roma in the second leg of the semi-finals, that would see them match Barcelona's coefficient, whereas a draw in the final within regulation time would likely see them surpass the Catalan giants. Moreover, in the event of a tie, UEFA may prioritise Bayer Leverkusen due to their status as Bundesliga champions.

However, there exists another unforeseen scenario that could further complicate matters. If Roma, despite their current deficit against Leverkusen, manages to overcome the odds and eliminate Leverkusen, both Barcelona and Leverkusen could find themselves outside of Pot 1. Roma by virtue of being champions of the 2021-22 Conference League and finalists of the previous Europa League, currently possess the seventh-best UEFA coefficient, making them formidable contenders for a top-seed position. They are currently in the fifth position in the Serie A table and if they hold on to their spot, they are guaranteed a place in the 2024-25 Champions League. Alternatively, they can qualify for the top-flight by winning the Europa League.

As the race for Champions League qualification intensifies, the outcomes of crucial matches and league standings will significantly impact the final seeding positions. For Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen, the stakes are exceptionally high as they strive to secure a coveted spot among Europe's elite in Pot 1 of the Champions League draw for the 2024-25 season.