The brand new Champions League format is up and operating and there have already been loads of upsets, with many giants of European soccer exterior the highest eight spots that assure a spot within the Final-16.
For many who end between eighth and twenty fourth they’ll play in an additional knockout stage to resolve who joins the unique high eight.
Right here, FourFourTwo seems at which groups are favourites for the 2024-25 Champions League.
Arsenal
Is that this lastly the yr that Mikel Arteta delivers the most important trophy Arsenal followers have been craving? With Liverpool storming forward within the Premier League it appears as if Europe is the way in which to go for Arsenal.
Odegaard’s return has improved their kind and creativity drastically, while the consistency of Saliba and Gabriel, who ranked at no.2 and no.5 respectively in FourFourTwo’s listing of the most effective centre-backs on the planet proper now, can be very important if the Gunners are to go deep into the competitors.
Final season’s loss to Bayern Munich within the quarter-finals was disappointing and didn’t replicate Arsenal’s kind on the time, however can be utilized as motivation, particularly if the Premier League seems unattainable by the point the knockout levels roll round in 2025.
Atalanta
Maybe the workforce that’s least prone to win Ol’ Massive Ears on the listing, however Atalanta have been in imperious kind this yr. They have been considered one of three sides to not lose any of their opening 5 Champions League video games, having gained three away matches, and drawn to Arsenal at house, a recreation wherein that they had a penalty saved.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s facet impressed in Europe final yr, knocking Liverpool out of the Europa League earlier than turning into the primary facet to beat Bayer Leverkusen all season within the last. Their entrance line of Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere, and Mateo Retegui have been firing on all cylinders and may show a menace to Europe’s elite.
Barcelona
Alongside Liverpool, Barcelona are Europe’s in kind facet below supervisor Hansi Flick, who ranked at no.18 in FourFourTwo’s listing of the most effective managers on the planet proper now. Their excessive defensive strains, youthful squad and distinctive assault have propelled them to the highest of La Liga in addition to 4 wins from their first 5 within the Champions League.
Raphina and Lamine Yamal’s creativity paired with Robert Lewandowski displaying the world that age is only a quantity has been a recipe for fulfillment thus far this season. This was on present when Barca demolished Bayern Munich 4-1 earlier this season to indicate the remainder of Europe they imply enterprise.
Bayern Munich
Bayern have made the quarter-finals of the Champions League for 5 years in a row, and there may be nothing to counsel that they gained’t make it six. They’ve retaken their customary spot on the high of the Bundesliga, and losses to Aston Villa and Barcelona are not any trigger for panic.
Ex-Crystal Palace star Michael Olise has impressed alongside Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane up entrance, whereas Joshua Kimmich’s midfield marshalling stays key to the German facet.
Nonetheless, conceding 4 targets to Barcelona and three to Eintracht Frankfurt counsel defensive worries that must be mounted if they’re to go the entire approach and win their seventh Champions League.
Inter Milan
In recent times, Inter Milan have had minimal success within the Champions League, reaching the quarter-finals or additional in simply two campaigns since they final gained the trophy in 2009-10. Simone Inzaghi’s facet look set to alter that after a powerful begin to their European marketing campaign, beating RB Leipzig and Arsenal in addition to drawing away to Manchester Metropolis.
Lautaro Martinez, who ranked at no.6 in FourFourTwo’s listing of the most effective strikers on the planet proper now, scored 27 targets final season which went slightly below the radar, and he has returned to this kind in 2024-25 as Inter stay within the aggressive Serie A title race.
Alessandro Bastoni has been considered one of Europe’s high centre-backs this season while Hakan Calhanoglu pulling the strings in midfield has been a pleasure to observe. Inter will not be one of many foremost favourites however the usually cursed label of a darkish horse matches them nicely.
Liverpool
The one facet to have a 100% report within the league part thus far, Arne Slot has taken Liverpool to the highest of each the Premier League and Champions League very quickly in any respect, and lots of would think about them favourites to raise the coveted trophy.
An exceptional report of 1 aim conceded throughout matches in opposition to AC Milan, Actual Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig amongst others provides to their credentials.
Liverpool are not any strangers to European success, having been to a few Champions League finals within the final eight years, successful their sixth title in Madrid in 2019. Anfield in a European knockout tie is a tough place to go for any facet, no matter Liverpool’s kind, however their consistency to this point makes Liverpool one of many hardest sides to face.
Manchester Metropolis
Regardless of Pep Guardiola’s worst run of kind in his managerial profession, Manchester Metropolis nonetheless have the potential to show their marketing campaign round, particularly within the latter levels of the Champions League. Metropolis lastly broke their European curse in 2022/23 and recruitment in January coupled with the return of some key gamers from damage and poor kind might see Metropolis show to be an actual menace.
Erling Haaland is Erling Haaland and can undoubtedly return to his ridiculous goal-scoring methods, while Phil Foden was sensational final yr and is prone to kick on regardless of a poor begin to the marketing campaign. The standard remains to be there and it appears to be a matter of time earlier than the previous Manchester Metropolis are again.
Actual Madrid
A listing of potential Champions League winners wouldn’t be full with out the 15-time champions Actual Madrid. Though their star-studded facet hasn’t set the Champions League alight as of but, falling to defeats to Liverpool, AC Milan and Lille, any facet with Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham can’t be written off. The trio are three of the 5 favourites to win the Ballon d’Or in 2025.
Surprisingly, they at present sit exterior the highest eight, however this might change with two video games left to play. In 12 of the final 14 Champions League campaigns Actual Madrid has made the semi-finals – an obscene report.
Alongside their squad heaving with expertise, in Carlo Ancelotti they’ve a five-time Champions League winner within the dugout. Actual need to be thought-about one of many sturdy favourites with skill and historical past on their facet
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