Barcelona Star Gives Strong Message to PSG Before Champions League Game

The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League league phase is set, and PSG face a challenging group. After recovering from a slow start last season, the Parisian side will be eager to hit the ground running this year.

Following last week’s draw, PSG will take on Bayern Munich and Barcelona from the top-seeded pot. Tottenham Hotspur also await, setting up an early rematch of their tense Super Cup clash just weeks ago.

The French champions also drew two tough opponents from the lower pots, with Newcastle United and Athletic Bilbao joining their schedule. Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, and Portuguese champion Sporting Lisbon complete PSG’s path in the expanded 36-team league phase.

Barcelona are ready to face PSG

David Ramos/Getty Images

PSG open the Champions League on September 17 against Atalanta. However, all eyes are on that October 1 contest against Barcelona as these two sides were on a collision course to meet in the final last season. Nonetheless, the Spanish side lost to Inter Milan in the semifinals.

“This is a match we are really looking forward to,” Jules Koundé said. “During the holidays, a lot of people told me they were excited for this match as if it were last season’s Champions League final, but we didn’t play it.”

🎙️JULES KOUNDE sobre el Barça – PSG

🗣️ "Este es un partido que realmente esperamos con muchas ganas.

🗣️ "Durante las vacaciones, mucha gente me dijo que estaban emocionados por este partido como si fuera la final de la Champions de la temporada pasada, pero no la jugamos."

— Carpetas Blaugranas (CB) (@carpetasFCB) September 3, 2025

PSG would go on to win the Champions League final 5-0, so the Barcelona squad feels that they could’ve put up a better fight and beaten the Parisians. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how this match plays out.