
Barcelona’s early season blunders could have been costly in the 2025–26 Champions League league phase, avoiding an unwanted knockout playoff by beating Copenhagen on the final matchday.
A loss to Monaco was Barcelona’s only league phase stumble a season ago, finishing second in the standings. But defeats against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and a woeful draw vs. Club Brugge this term saw Hansi Flick’s men sitting just outside the top eight with seven games played.