When can Real Madrid face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League this season? | OneFootball

For years, fans across the world have dreamt of witnessing Real Madrid and Barcelona collide on the biggest European stage. 

While domestic competitions like La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup regularly deliver that spectacle, the UEFA Champions League has rarely offered the same luxury in recent times.

This season briefly sparked hope.

With the revamped format of Europe’s elite competition, there was a growing belief that a meeting between the two Spanish giants could arrive earlier than usual. 

Both teams have progressed into the knockout stages, keeping that possibility alive, at least for a while.

On one side, Real Madrid head into the second leg of their Round of 16 tie against Manchester City with a commanding 3-0 advantage. 

Meanwhile, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona are in a more delicate situation. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, they must secure a win at Camp Nou to book their place in the quarter-finals.

However, despite both teams being in the race, the current tournament structure has effectively ruled out a Clásico before the final.

Will there be a European Clasico?

Real Madrid and Barcelona will not cross paths in UCL until the final. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Following the draw held on February 27, the bracket was locked in for the remainder of the competition, meaning there will be no further draws to reshuffle potential matchups. 

This is where the crucial twist lies.

Barcelona were placed on one side of the bracket, alongside teams such as Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Bodo Glimt, Sporting CP, Bayer Leverkusen, and Arsenal.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, landed on the opposite side, where potential opponents include Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Galatasaray, Liverpool, Atalanta, and Bayern Munich.

The implication is simple but significant, as the only stage where Barcelona and Real Madrid can meet this season is the final.

Notably, the last time these two European heavyweights met in the Champions League dates back to the 2010-11 season, when Barcelona, under Pep Guardiola, overcame Real Madrid in the semi-finals. 

A 2-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu followed by a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou sent the Blaugrana to the final, where they defeated Manchester United at Wembley.