[...] I assume the expectation would be to qualify from league phase at least. [...]
I'm sure what you mean is qualifying from the group phase, the last time they played in the UCL was during the 22/23 season, they failed to advance from the group stage and could only finish in third place.
That was the case 2 seasons ago, with their performance last season, i think they can at least give hope to their fans, qualifying from the group stage is no longer a difficult thing for them.