I think the steps of a team in the Champions League stage are determined in the group position, if you join relatively easy clubs then the next step will also be smooth. For now, Barca's strength has not really been read because it is only the beginning of the season in the Domestic League while the UCL is still at the Play Off stage. However, with the addition of players like Gundogan, it is hoped that Xavi's squad can go further in the UCL this season.
All team strengths will be clearly read when the group stage has started or is taking place this season. Because for now, we cannot assess all the teams how strong they have this season, even though each team already has new players and might become a mainstay of the team to bring about a change in strength in their squad.
There are still many who place Barca in the list of favorites with other big teams, perhaps the historical and mental factors they have are the things that underlie these various assumptions.
If there are assumptions for historical factors, because Barcelona is a team that has been in operation for a very long time, but for mental factors I think other teams like Real Madrid also have the mentality of winning the Champions League even though last season Real Madrid failed to win the Champions League.