The brand new Champions League format is but to be in motion lengthy sufficient to warrant a critical evaluation of what the advantages and downsides are.
Nevertheless, the main sides will definitely be measuring the rise in revenue margins, with all the huge names assured a minimal of two video games towards different European giants – a rise advocated for in The Superleague.
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Chelsea’s conflict with Barcelona actually suits into that bracket at any price, with the Catalan aspect as a result of go to Stamford Bridge on the twenty fifth of November. The 2 sides had one thing of a rivalry in the course of the 2000s, with numerous conferences within the Champions League knockout levels occurring, most famously ending in 2009 with a screamer from Andres Iniesta at Stamford Bridge, and in a breakaway objective for Fernando Torres at Camp Nou in 2011. Each side went on to win the competitors that yr. If this conflict can convey again recollections of outdated, then it is going to actually be value watching.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 17: Cole Palmer of Chelsea shoots huge while underneath strain from Jan Ziolkowski of Legia Warszawa in the course of the UEFA Convention League 2024/25 Quarter Closing Second Leg match between Chelsea FC and Legia Warszawa at Stamford Bridge on April 17, 2025 in London, England. (Picture by Mike Hewitt/Getty Photographs)
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How and The place to Purchase Chelsea-Barcelona tickets for Champions League
Tickets can be at a premium for the conflict, with Chelsea very a lot among the many contenders following their World Membership Cup triumph. One avenue to go down is to go to the . Nevertheless there can be restricted availability, with all of their 28,000 season ticket-holders anticipated to be current, and round 2,000 to be ceded to Barcelona as per UEFA laws. The Blaugrana won’t launch tickets on common sale, however as a substitute cede the seats to Supporters’ golf equipment, that means that except you might be already a member, there can be little to no likelihood of securing one. That may imply going to third-party ticket sale web sites, resembling Viagogo, or extra trusted choices like could be interesting for those who’re eager to get to the sport. They supply a choice of seats starting from the cheaper to the costlier choices, and with a transparent indication of the place you may be sitting and your view.
Can Chelsea or Barcelona problem for the Champions League?
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona crosses the ball while underneath strain from Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Closing Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on Might 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Dan Mullan/Getty Photographs)
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With the additions of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Estevao, Chelsea now have an array of choices up entrance for supervisor Enzo Maresca to name on in several conditions. In Cole Palmer, they’ve a star able to successful matches at any level, and a midfield pairing of Caicedo and Fernandez holds as much as any in European soccer. The elements are actually there, and following their defeat of Paris Saint-Germain this summer season, Chelsea have confirmed they will compete with anybody. Nevertheless, it will be a serious leap to go from Convention League Champions to Champions League winners within the house of a yr.
The sensation in Barcelona is that they missed a possibility final yr, falling wanting the ultimate towards Inter. This season it has been declared an goal by Lamine Yamal, and the Spain star, like Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde and Fermin Lopez, are a yr older and wiser this day out.
Nevertheless, Robert Lewandowski represents a serious query mark up entrance, with the knowledge of the Polish veteran unlikely to outweigh the ageing course of at this level. On the again, the lack of Inigo Martinez is a big one, and Hansi Flick should encourage extra from Andreas Christensen or Ronald Araujo to have extra of an opportunity.