Xabi Alonso could dent Barcelona’s 2024/25 Champions League plans

Barcelona have secured their place in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League with La Liga games to spare this season.

Despite coming up short to Real Madrid in the title race, Barcelona are battling hard for second spot.

Xavi Hernandez’s decision to stay has added more stability for plans in the months ahead.

However, despite reserving their spot in Europe’s premier competition, Barcelona’s seeding is unconfirmed.

Barcelona are currently in Pot 1 for the draw with the incoming Champions League campaign changing to ‘league style’ format.

The remaining European games this season will influence the final pots and Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen will have a key role.

Alonso has already led Leverkusen to a first ever Bundesliga title and they are on course to at least reach the UEFA Europa League final.

A 2-0 first leg win at AS Roma has put them within touching distance of the final and a second win over the Italians would equal Barcelona’s UEFA co-efficient tally.

A final win, or a draw inside 90 minutes, would see them overtake La Blaugrana with Xavi’s team dropping into Pot 2 for August’s draw.