Champions League Favourites
The UEFA Champions League stands as the ultimate prize in European club football, drawing the continent’s elite teams into a thrilling competition.
Each season, a handful of clubs emerge as favourites, boasting the talent, tactics, and tenacity needed to claim the coveted trophy.
This article explores the top contenders for the current Champions League season, examining their strengths, key players, and overall chances of lifting the trophy.
Manchester City: The 2023 Champions
- Champions League winners: 2023
- Last season finish: Quarter-final
- Odds to win Champions League: 11/4
Manchester City, under the astute leadership of Pep Guardiola, have become a dominant force in both domestic and European football.
After finally securing their maiden Champions League title in the 2022-23 season, City are determined to regain the crown they lost to Real Madrid last season.
🚨ON THIS DAY IN 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ 🚨
Manchester City FC Won The UEFA Champions League 🏆
— City Chief (@City_Chief) June 10, 2024
With reports that this could be Pep Gardiola’s last season in charge at the Etihad, his team will be going all out to ensure he finishes his reign there in style.
Last season City were beaten in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Real Madrid, who have become something of a bogey side for the Citizens.
Despite dominating possession in the tie (particularly at home), City were regularly caught on the break by Real, who could rely on the fearsome pace of the likes of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.
In order to regain the Champions League title, City will need to ensure they are better equipped defensively to deal with these counter-attacks.
At the same time, they will need to have enough versatility in attack to ensure they are not overly-reliant on Erling Haaland for their goals.
The emergence of Jeremy Doku last season was encouraging in that respect and they may ask for more from him this season, in addition to new recruits to the Etihad.
Strengths:
- Depth and Quality: City’s squad depth is unparalleled, with world-class talent in every position. This depth allows Guardiola to rotate his team without compromising on quality.
- Tactical Mastery: Guardiola’s tactical acumen ensures that City are adaptable and can dominate possession against any opponent.
- Key Players: Kevin De Bruyne remains the creative fulcrum, while Erling Haaland provides a lethal goal-scoring threat. The defensive solidity offered by Ruben Dias and the improving Jasko Gvardiol further bolster their chances.
Chances: As favourites for the Champions League, Manchester City have both the experience and the hunger to repeat their success of two seasons ago.
Aside from their success in 2023 however, City have slightly underperformed expectations in the Champions League over recent seasons given the power of their squad and the money they have spent on players.
The pressure will be on them to step up to the plate this season and deliver another Champions League trophy for manager Pep Guardiola.
In order to do so they will need to show they have the defensive capabilities to deal with counter-attacks from sides like Real Madrid and the attacking versatility to break down sides who defend deep.
At odds of 11/4 there will be many out there backing them to do just that.
Real Madrid: The Defending Champions and Record Holders
- Champions League winners: 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 & 2024
- Last season finish: Winners
- Odds to win Champions League: 3/1
Real Madrid’s storied history in the Champions League, with 15 titles to their name, means they stand alone in this competition as the greatest team in its history.
Their success in this competition (and its forerunner the European Cup) has meant it is synonymous with them and is deeply intertwined with the club’s sense of identity. Indeed, success in this competition is not just desired by the fans – it is positively expected.
In recent times the team has fully delivered on this expectation, winning the trophy an astonishing six times in the last ten years.
That includes last season, when Los Blancos showed their mettle to come past Manchester City in the quarter finals, before knocking out Bayern Munich in a closely-fought semi-final and ultimately triumphing over Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final at Wembley.
Ancelotti said ‘calma’ 🥶#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/X9Rah3tuGn
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 6, 2024
At times during last season’s run Real Madrid were somewhat lackadaisical and they did not overwhelm opponents with dominant displays of possession in the way that Manchester City often do.
However, they were ruthlessly efficient in their play, defending resolutely before hitting teams on the break to devastating effect.
Opponents often had no answer to the pace of Vinicius Jr and the versatile attacking play of Jude Bellingham, who together scythed through defences to deliver knock-out punches at vital moments in matches.
Now with the added attacking prowess of Kylian Mbappe who has joined the club over the Summer, Real will be a fearsome proposition for anyone facing them in this season’s Champions League.
Balanced against this however is the loss of the retiring Toni Kroos, who was majestic at times last season in his control of the midfield and picking pinpoint passes to initiate attacks.
Equally, Luka Modric is drawing towards the end of an outstanding career and can only be expected to play a supporting role at the ripe old age of 38.
So the question is how well the new midfield can cope largely without those two giants. Additional pressure will be placed on the likes of Valverde, Camavinga and Tchouaméni to step into the shoes of their illustrious predecessors, but whether they can reproduce the passing range of Kroos and Modric remains to be seen.
Strengths:
- Winning Mentality: Real Madrid have an unmatched pedigree in the Champions League, often finding a way to win even when not at their best.
- Key Players: Last season Vinicius Junior was their standout player in the Champions League and with the arrival of Kylian Mbappe they will have an extremely potent attack.
- Tactical Flexibility: Under Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid have shown tactical flexibility, capable of adapting to different styles of play.
Chances: Real Madrid’s combination of experience, talent, and a winning mentality makes them a strong contender. Their ability to rise to the occasion in crucial matches is a significant advantage.
It would take a brave person to bet against them going deep in the competition again this season.
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Arsenal: Going for First Win
- Champions League winners: nil
- Last season finish: Quarter-final
- Odds to win Champions League: 9/1
Arsenal, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, have made significant strides in recent years, aiming to re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite and claim the club’s first ever Champions League title.
After a period of rebuilding and strategic investment in the squad, the Gunners are back in the Champions League and are aiming to improve on last season’s run to the quarter-finals.
Strengths:
- Youthful Energy: Arsenal boasts a dynamic and youthful squad, with players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Odegaard leading the charge. This young core brings pace, creativity, and a fearless approach to their game.
- Strategic Leadership: Mikel Arteta’s tactical acumen and vision have transformed Arsenal’s style of play. His emphasis on structured defense and quick, incisive attacking transitions has made the team more resilient and versatile.
- Defensive Solidity: The defense, anchored by Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba, has shown significant improvement. The addition of David Raya as the first-choice goalkeeper has also added stability and confidence at the back.
Chances: Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta has reinvigorated the club and its supporters. Their return to the Champions League last season represented a significant milestone in their journey back to the top echelons of European football.
With a blend of youthful exuberance, tactical intelligence, and key signings, the Gunners have the potential to make a deep run in this season’s competition.
However, their lack of experience at the business end of the competition over the last 10-15 years is the main question mark for them. If the players shown enough self-belief though it is not to say they couldn’t overcome that and finally bring a Champions League trophy back to the Emirates.
Bayern Munich: The German Giants
- Champions League winners: 1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013, 2020
- Last season finish: Semi-final
- Odds to win Champions League: 12/1
Bayern Munich are perennial contenders in the Champions League, having won the competition six times.
With a blend of experienced campaigners and exciting young talent, Bayern are well-equipped for another deep run.
Strengths:
- Attack Power: Bayern boast one of the most potent attacking line-ups in Europe, with players like Harry Kane, Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sané leading the charge.
- Experience: The team’s core, including Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich, has significant experience in high-stakes matches.
- New Talent: The infusion of younger players like Jamal Musiala adds dynamism and unpredictability to their play.
Chances: Bayern are perennial contenders in the Champions League but have only won the competition once in the last 11 years. They have changed managers frequently over the last few years and have struggled to find the winning formula in Europe.
A good run to the semi-finals last season will give them confidence however and with the right acquisitions in key positions they could be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Harry Kane had a superb first season and Bayern are not lacking for attacking threat. The bigger question is whether their defence can hold up against the strongest of opposition.
Conclusion
The Champions League is always filled with surprises, and predicting the ultimate winner is no easy task.
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich each bring unique strengths and narratives to this season’s competition and are all contenders to lift the trophy.
Over the last few seasons the Champions League has tended to be won by one of the favourites and it would take a brave person to bet against one of these four triumphing again.
Whatever happens though, the journey to uncover the next Champions League winner promises to be as thrilling as ever.
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