Bayer Leverkusen’s fairytale 51-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Wednesday, as they lost 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League final in Dublin. Barcelona sporting director Deco was in attendance at the Aviva Stadium, and the defeat for Xabi Alonso’s side comes as good news for the Catalan giants.
As per Football Rankings on X, Leverkusen’s defeat means that Barcelona have a better chance of being in Pot 1 for next season’s league phase draw in the Champions League. Had the Bundesliga champions defeated Atalanta, they would have moved Los Blaugrana down to Pot 2.
Champions League – Projected Pots
🇪🇸 Barcelona are still in Pot 1
🇩🇪 Leverkusen confirmed Pot 2
🇮🇹 AS Roma will enter Pot 1 and move Barcelona down to Pot 2 if Atalanta finish 5th in Serie A. pic.twitter.com/HdDBLqQuec
— Football Rankings (@FootRankings) May 22, 2024
However, Barcelona’s place in Pot 1 is not yet assured. If Atalanta finish 5th in Serie A, it would promote Roma to the Champions League, and the Italian giants have more co-efficient points than the Catalans, who would subsequently be bumped down to Pot 2.
Amid a season of turmoil, it is a brief positive for Barcelona to remain in Pot 1 for the time being. It remains to be seen whether they will stay there come the end of the season.