PSG Get Strong Barcelona Message in Champions League | OneFootball

PSG will face Barcelona on October 1 in the UEFA Champions League league phase. Both teams come into the match on the back of wins, with PSG beating Atalanta and Barcelona claiming a road victory over Newcastle United.

Despite missing Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé in their Matchday 1 game against Atalanta, PSG dominated, scoring twice in each half for a commanding 4-0 win. Barcelona, meanwhile, leaned on a Marcus Rashford brace to secure a 2-1 win over Newcastle on Thursday.

Now all eyes are on that Matchday 2 clash. Nonetheless, one pundit believes that Barcelona are the favorite to win the Champions League.

Are Barcelona the Favorite to Win the UCL?

(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Barcelona and PSG were on a collision course to meet in the Champions League final. However, the Spanish side fell in the semifinal to Inter Milan. Now in the 2025-26 season, Barcelona and PSG are again seen as the favorites for this competition.

Still, L’Equipe’s Bernard Lions believes the Catalan side might have a slight edge over the reigning champions.

“I’m really placing a bet on Barcelona,” Lions said. “Last year, they came close, and this team is only getting stronger, much like Lamine Yamal. With a top player like Rashford added to the mix, it’ll be interesting to see how the season unfolds. Their starting 11 is already impressive, and their bench brings both depth and experience.

“I think they’ll be motivated to bounce back after last season’s elimination at Giuseppe Meazza against Inter. On top of that, they didn’t participate in the Club World Cup, which gives them a huge advantage—they haven’t been worn down like PSG, and that’s a risk PSG now faces.”