Lucky Real Madrid again? The Champions League draw debate
Did Real Madrid get an easier Champions League draw than Barcelona? Compare their opponents and examine the limits of AS’s analysis.
Barcelona must suffer; Real Madrid can breathe easy. That was essentially Mundo Deportivo’s verdict on the Champions League draw in its Friday edition. The roles have been assigned well before kick-off. There is, however, another way of looking at the same opponents.
AS averaged opponents’ UEFA ranking positions: Madrid 39.50, Barcelona 48.25. Lower means harder, placing them third and seventh among Pot 1 teams. Como received an estimated position of 25; this is not an official UEFA difficulty classification. Source: AS.
Before handing out points for good fortune, here is the full opposition.
| Club | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | Inter, PSV, RB Leipzig, LASK | Arsenal, Roma, Shakhtar Donetsk, AEK Athens |
| Barcelona | Manchester City, Aston Villa, Feyenoord, Como | PSG, Sporting CP, Galatasaray, Sabah |
The fixtures were confirmed by Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Visiting PSG and hosting Manchester City are strong reasons not to call Barcelona’s draw easy. Madrid, though, have hardly been handed eight exhibition matches. Trips to Arsenal and Roma, plus a home meeting with Inter, are difficult to describe honestly as sightseeing.
We would not treat a ranking average as a forecast. Current form, player availability and home advantage also belong in the assessment. A famous opponent’s name cannot explain an entire schedule. Neither can one number.
Mundo Deportivo is entitled to a different judgment. But a punishing draw for Barcelona and a comfortable one for Madrid is an editorial opinion, not another clause in the Champions League regulations.
