La Liga clubs in the new European format

The first ever ‘league phase’ of the three European club competitions came to an end this week, with the draw for the knockout rounds taking place on Friday.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 29: Barcelona’s Spanish forward Lamine Yamial (L) vies with Atalanta’s defender Mar Kolasinac during the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Barcelona and Atalanta BC at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, in Barcelona, on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Adria Puig/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Hansi Flick has built upon the foundations he inherited from former manager Xavi, by continuing to trust in players from La Masia (Barcelona’s Academy). At 17, Lamine Yamal is already a global superstar. Pau Cubarsi, Marc Casado and Fermín López, all debutants under Xavi, are firm starters.

It will be 10 years come May since Barca’s last Champions League triumph, when they beat Juventus 3-1 in Berlin. That night, Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar made up the front line.

Barca have had to live within their means in recent years due to financial difficulties, but they have an academy based squad of the highest level. Striker Robert Lewandowski brings experience of winning Europe’s most prestigious trophy.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 29: team of Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Barcelona and Atalanta BC at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on January 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)

Second place sees Barca avoid the knockout round, unlike their eternal rivals Real Madrid.

Real Madrid

Los Blancos finished 11th with a record of five wins and three losses. Consecutive defeats to AC Milan and Liverpool sparked talk of a crisis and Kylian Mbappé looked a shadow of himself.

GUINGAMP, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: Federico Valverde of Real Madrid salutes the supporters following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Stade Brestois 29 and Real Madrid C.F. at Stade du Roudourou on January 29, 2025 in Guingamp, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

This late turn of form was only enough to guarantee them a place in the knockout round, where they will face Manchester City this month. City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, compares it to a derby since the two sides will play for the fourth time in four years.

On their last encounter, City dominated the ball and created the bulk of chances, but Madrid survived and went through to the semifinals on penalties. City will be coming for revenge.

Mbappé is back to his best in 2025, dispelling any notion that the French superstar would flop in the Spanish capital. He is in the mood and so are his teammates.

GUINGAMP, FRANCE – JANUARY 29: Kylian Mbappe #9 of Real Madrid shoots the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Stade Brestois 29 and Real Madrid C.F. at Stade du Roudourou on January 29, 2025 in Guingamp, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)

Real Madrid have an intrinsic belief that they deserve to be in the final. It is part of their identity, their history. They step into a Champions League game believing that no matter how they play, they will ultimately win the game. Only a fool would ever write them off.

Atlético Madrid won’t have to worry about the knockout round. Diego Simeone’s men finished fifth in the league phase. A 4-0 loss to Benfica and a home defeat to Lille left them with three points after three games.

A 2-1 victory away at PSG turned their campaign around and they went on to win the next four games, scoring 15 goals along the way.

Julian Alvarez centre-forward of Atletico de Madrid and Argentina and Nordi Mukiele right-back of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and France compete for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Atletico de Madrid and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on January 21, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

His link-up play with Griezmann is a joy to behold. He practically won the game on his own against Bayer Leverkusen, with a typical incisive run from his own half, before bulldozing through defenders and smashing the ball into the bottom corner.

The squad have youth and experience. Midfield captain Koke has played in two Champions League finals, losing both times to Real Madrid. They have the team to go all the way and win it.

One win and seven losses were a huge disappointment, as they finished 33rd in a 36-team table. Girona did have a tough seeding, facing PSG, Liverpool, and AC Milan before losing to Arsenal in the final game.

As they look to qualify for at least the Europa League come the end of the season, they will need to bring in more quality and experience to avoid another disastrous run in Europe.

Europa League & Athletic Bilbao

The old system traditionally helped the Spanish teams, with two of Sevilla’s last three Europa League triumphs coming after dropping down from the Champions League group stage.

La Liga is represented by two Basque clubs in this season’s Europa League. Athletic Bilbao have been in sparkling form in the competition, finishing second in the league phase with six wins, a draw and a loss.

Nico Williams left winger of Athletic Club and Spain during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between Athletic Club and FC Viktoria Plzen at Estadio de San Mames on January 30, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ernesto Valverde’s all Basque side have deployed some beautiful football and are one of the favourites. The Williams brothers provide real attacking threat down either side.

Marcelo Bielsa guided Athletic to the final in 2011, only to lose 3-0 to Atlético Madrid. As this season’s final will be played in San Mames, the home of Athletic, it may be the club’s destiny to win its first ever European trophy.

East of Bilbao, San Sebastian’s football club Real Sociedad will have to settle for a spot in the knockout round. A mixed performance of four wins, one draw, and three losses saw La Real finish 13th.

They have drawn FC Midtjylland of Denmark, who guaranteed qualification on the final match-day, drawing 2-2 with Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe.

If players like the magical left footer, Takefusa Kubo, perform on the night, La Real should progress.

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Takefusa Kubo of Real Sociedad pre-game warm up during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between S.S. Lazio and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Stadio Olimpico on January 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Conference League & Real Betis

Real Betis will be in the knockout round of the Conference League. Manager Manuel Pellegrini has a wealth of European experience.

Winning the Conference League could be their only route to European football next season, as well as achieving the honour of becoming the first Spanish champions.

They will have to overcome KAA Gent who finished a point below Betis in the league phase.