The Champions League produces heavy competition throughout the year, but only a few teams start as favourites for the upcoming edition.
Champions League 2019/20 edition is upon us. The European competition comprising of top teams across the continent has promised superlative competition over the last few years.
Liverpool begin this tournament as the reigning Champions League after Jurgen Klopp ended their 14-year wait for the ultimate glory, back on June 2. The Reds were successful in their machine after overcoming Tottenham Hotspur in Wanda Metropolitano. Starting from Alisson Becker’s save to Divock Origi’s goal – the Reds were too hard to handle for their opponents – en route to their Sixth Champions League.
Before the kick start of last season, Lionel Messi’s Barcelona wanted the cup badly, like every other favourite in this tournament. The teams overcome with either individual brilliance or collective brilliance.
As we discuss the teams, we shall look at the five teams who could lift the upcoming edition of the Champions League.
#5 Paris Saint Germain
Paris Saint Germain does not boast a good record in the Champions League, but they have rectified the flaws in the starting eleven. They have strengthened with the signings of Keylor Navas, Mauro Icardi, Pablo Sarabia, Idrissa Gueye, Abdou Diallo, and Ander Herrera. Biggest of them is keeping the costliest player in the world Neymar despite alluring interest from Barcelona.
Their coach Thomas Tuchel does not enjoy a good record in the European competition with Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint Germain. However, they have good enough with the likes of Thiago Silva, Marco Verrati, Neymar, Marquinhos, Keylor Navas, and Kylian Mbappe.
Ever since the Parisians were bought by the Gulf, goalkeeping department remained a conundrum. However, they have an experienced campaigner in Keylor Navas, who has before experience lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid on three occasions. Icardi, Sarabia, Gueye, and Diallo are also much-needed arrivals to the clubs.
They have a tricky group, which consists of Real Madrid, Galatasaray, and Club Brugge. However, they have enough quality to reach the two-legged ties, where they can trouble their opponents.
#4 Juventus
Juventus made a historical comeback with a 3-0 victory against Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 Champions League stage last season, but they were kicked out by Ajax in the subsequent round – tarnishing their hopes of getting their hands on the European glory for the 23rd consecutive year.
The Old Lady have appointed Maurizio Sarri, who deploys attacking football, unlike Massimiliano Allegri’s defensive strategy which did not pay off last campaign. In the opening stages of this season, the Italian side have been defensively unreliable because of the lack of defensive cover.
Like Zinedine Zidane relied on the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo, Maurizio Sarri has the same amount of trust in the forward. Should the Portuguese International payback with consistent displays in the European competition, they can compete for the Champions League glory this season.
#3 Manchester City
Manchester City have been blowing hot and cold in the Premier League thus far. They showed defensive weakness as they went down to Norwich City in an intense encounter in Carrow Road on Saturday.
The Citizens are currently without their best centre-back Aymeric Laporte. His absence came to the Canaries aid as they scored three past Ederson Moraes, who has not started the new season on a similar note compared to other campaigns. The Frenchman is expected to return before the Champions League knockout rounds – enhancing the chances of competing for the ultimate glory.
The English side have been placed in an easy group consisting of Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb, and Shakhtar Donetsk. They are expected to stay at top of the pile, however they have to step up their plate to boost their possibility of lifting their maiden European glory under the management of Pep Guardiola.
#2 Barcelona
Barcelona’s Skipper Lionel Messi promised to the Nou Camp faithful that the players will work their sleeve out to secure the Champions League this season. The Argentinian was optimistic about his chances last season, but they faced exit in the Semifinals of the competition, handing over the final spot after carrying a three-goal lead to Anfield in the second leg.
It has been an uneasy start for the Blaugrana, with two victories from four La Liga games. But, they were without the attacking duo of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, who bailed them out on several occasions in the Champions League last season. The addition of Antoine Griezmann has reinforced their attacking ranks, but question marks remain over the backline. With the greatest ever footballer, the Blaugrana start as the second-best favourites for the upcoming edition of the Champions League.
#1 Liverpool
The reigning Champions enter this edition as the favourites following an extraordinary season. The Reds are on the back of a 97-point tally and Champions League glory – making them a firm favourites for this season.
Above and more to their last season record, Jurgen Klopp is yet to be eliminated by an opponent in the two-legged ties as a Liverpool manager. The former Borussia Dortmund manager managed to steer the Reds to the Europa League final in 2016, followed by consecutive Champions League final in 2018 & 2019.
They have a tailor-made squad to compete for this trophy. Boasting some of the current world’s best players, Liverpool can clinch the ultimatum in Atuturk Stadium, where they scripted an extraordinary comeback against AC Milan in 2005.
