The 2021-2022 UEFA Champions League group stage draw is all complete now, and it features several must-watch matches across the board. For Barcelona, it drew some familiar foes in Group E, as the Catalan giants will be taking on FC Bayern Munich, S.L. Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv.
Barca has plenty of history with Bayern in this competition, while the club has had key encounters with Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv in recent Champions League group stages.
Unlike in previous seasons, Barca is not the top contender to finish first in its group, as Bayern is being tabbed as the early favorites to secure the top spot in Group E.
For a Barca team that does not have many expectations this season following the recent free agent departure of Lionel Messi, here are three predictions to watch for the side's upcoming Champions League group stage campaign.
Barcelona ends a historic Bayern streak to get revenge
As many remember, Bayern orchestrated one of the more complete Champions League performances in the competition's history against Barcelona last year. The Bundesliga powerhouse demolished Barca by the now-famous 8-2 final score in the 2019-2020 Champions League Quarterfinal round, as the side simply had its way with winning the ball back with ease thanks to its complex pressing system.
Now, Barca will have a golden opportunity to avenge the loss in this season's Champions League group stage.
It would be an absolute longshot for Barca to accomplish this feat, but the team well has what it takes to pull off an upset win over Bayern at the Allianz Arena. Bayern has not suffered a loss at home in the Champions League group stage since the 2013-2014 season when David Silva led Manchester City to a key 3-2 win over the German side on the final matchday of the group stage.
Barca would need to pull off an almost flawless defensive performance in order to keep the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller off of the scoresheet, which could then help give the team a fighting chance in the fixture.
In this competition, anything is possible.
Memphis Depay rises to the occasion
Memphis Depay is already off to a keen start to his Barca career. The former Olympique Lyonnais star notched an assist in the team's La Liga opener against Real Sociedad, and he wound up scoring the game-tying goal in the away match against Athletic Bilbao.
Depay has already won over a multitude of Barca supporters, and he can further attract more such fans with formidable performances in the upcoming Champions League group stage.
If Depay's key showings over Lyon's 2019-2020 Champions League campaign give any indication of what is to come, then Barca may soon see some world-class performances from him. The Dutchman scored six goals over that Champions League campaign, including the pivotal penalty goal in the round of 16 clash against Juventus.
Whether as a center forward or winger, Depay can exert an influential impact with Barcelona in Europe's biggest competition. If called to play as a center forward, he can drop out of his designated zone on the pitch and play the role of a false nine, which would see him occupy possession in deeper areas of the pitch to facilitate play into the attacking third.
If Depay aims to quickly end the narrative that he could be Barca's next star flop, then the Champions League group stage would be a good place to do just that.
Emerson emerges as a key contributor
It seems as if in every Champions League group stage for Barca, there is always one promising talent who puts out for exceptional showings and moves up in the team's depth chart. Last season, Spanish midfielder Pedri went from being tabbed as an under-the-radar prospect to a talent full of potential following his standout performances for Barca in the Champions League group stage.
This season, Emerson may be the next player to establish a firm place with the team.
The Brazilian defender has only featured in 27 minutes in La Liga play with Barca so far this season, as Sergino Dest has been the starting right-back over the team's opening two matches.
Still, Emerson will soon earn critical playing time minutes with Barca, and he well can make the most out of his upcoming opportunities.
Emerson shined with Real Betis last season on the defensive end of the pitch, especially as he posted a notable 4.85 successful pressures per 90 mark over what turned out to be his final campaign with the side.
The Brazilian talent will surely be tasked to defend against the likes of Bayern winger Leroy Sane and Benfica playmaker Rafa Silva if he goes on to earn key minutes in the Champions League this season. But considering how well he managed to contain multiple notable La Liga wingers last season, this task should not be an overwhelming one for the promising defender.
Barcelona will surely be one team to watch in Champions League group stage play this season.