Champions League shenanigans

The 2024/2025 football season marks the debut of a new format for the acclaimed Champions League. The group stage was reformed into a single league competition, featuring 36 clubs, each one playing 8 games randomly drawn; the first 8 teams are automatically through to the round of 16, as clubs ranked 9-24 enter a play-off for the remaining spots.

As of today, we are to wait for play-offs to be finished before we can see the story unfold at the round of 16, where things get serious. Moreover, the January transfer window just closed, therefore, it feels the perfect time to elaborate on what are the teams to watch, whose in the best position to lift the trophy and which team can be a surprise in the tournament:

Barcelona

The catalonian club started the season strong, benefiting from Flick’s aggressive style and a new golden generation: Baldé, Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, Casado and Cubarsí rejuvenated this Barça side, as Raphinha, Lewandowski and Araujo have been equally important to the overall system, thus helping Barcelona secure a second place in the group stage. Flick’s idea of the game can be imposing in the short term and overwhelming in matches where Barcelona is the clear stronger side, however, it has been proven that are arguments and solutions against this idea, especially from well organized teams, such as Atalanta and Benfica, who performed very well against Barcelona. If Barça are to lift the Champions League this year, they will have to perform against strong direct play teams, while having in consideration the player’s fitness- as this aggressive style depends on the physicality of the team.

Liverpool

Arne Slot’s era at merseyside has been successful so far. The coaches’ ideas and mentality are well suited for a club like Liverpool and the first half of the season was the practical demonstration of that- ending January in the first place at both the premier and champions league. Putting aside a strong tactical approach and making good use of the already good talent Liverpool has, one of Slot’s key points for these results has been the good utilization of everybody in the squad, finding space for players, like Bradley, Gravenberch, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones; this can be fruitful when managing in a country with so many competitions such as England.

Atletico Madrid

The spanish club faced a tough start in the Champions League after tough losses against Benfica and Lille, however, Atletico picked up the pace and is through to the round of 16 after finishing 5th in the league phase. Diego Simeone’s play-style isn’t as aesthetically pleasing as Slot’s and Flick’s, but is efficient and practical- in a tournament, where everything is decided in 180 minutes, that can make a difference. Griezmann and Alvarez magic are guarded by the physicality of De Paul and Connor Gallagher, not forgetting the verticality of Gilluiano Simeone (like father, like son). They’re ones to watch.

Internazionale

If Simeone’s practical tactical approach is no news, the same can be said for Inzaghi’s Inter Milan. Defensively, this italian side is extremely organized and structured and are deadly on the counter, taking advantage of high intensity wing-backs, like Di Marco and Dumfries. At the top, Lautaro Martinez and Marcos Thuram is a solid striker partnership. On the ball, Çalhanoglu, Barella and Mkhitaryan are a dream midfield- with the addition of the young libero Bastoni. As outsiders, are top contenders to lift the trophy once again.

Arsenal

My latest articles have been about Arsenal’s tactical approach and the inevitability I believe the club’s lacking to win major trophies. Arteta’s trophies at Arsenal are all tournaments, so you could argue that the current formula works in these scenarios. Nothing changes- tactically, Arsenal are elite and I believe that is a matter of time for Arteta to win a major trophy with the gunners, but without a major reference in the attack to provide goals when the team needs the most (bad games, poor moments of form) I’m uncertain of when. Havertz is having one of the best seasons of his career, but his individual quality was never the issue.

Real Madrid

It has been a season of ups and downs for Madrid. The summer transfer window was astonishing, with the addition of Mbappé and Endrick- on paper, Mbappé, Vini and Rodrygo is the best attack in the world, but questions were made on how three natural left wingers could coexist on the pitch. On grass, results have been rocky and include 9 goals conceded against Barcelona this season. Truth be told, Bellingham and Valverde have been covering the gaps the front three left defensively- adding an injury crisis to the mix, Madrid face a tough challenge to live up to the expectations created inherently by the quality of the squad and the historic dimension of the club.

Manchester City

Speaking of ups and downs, the citizens season has been downhill since Rodri ACL injury. Facing an injury crisis with a small squad is the perfect recipe for disaster, making Pep adapt numerous players in an attempt to salvage the season- it’s the first time in his legendary career that Guardiola face such tremendous real adversities. Premier League hopes are definitely gone, but again, Champions League is a tournament and have specific contexts that leagues do not have. Manchester City spent around 250M in the january transfer window; Nico is an exciting addition to the midfield and Marmoush can be the dynamic explosion that is missing to bring Haaland back to his best form. If City’s new signings proof to be proper solutions for Guardiola and Phoden and Savinho get back to their good ways, Manchester City might have a chance to win the Champions League again.

Atalanta

If you’re one to bet on dark horses, look no further than Atalanta. Such as Inter, they’re an extremely organized italian side with enthusiastic players like Lookman, Retegui and De Ketelaere. Inter makes good use of a libero like Bastoni, but Scalvini is the other piece of the puzzle when it comes to the future of Italy's center backs. Last year, this dynamic but practical tactical approach was fruitful against modern football sensation team Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final, but the Champions League is a far harder mountain to climb.

These are not all the teams with realistic objectives and arguments to win the most prestigious club trophy in this sport- this article could very well contain analysis on teams like Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint German. However, having in consideration positive and modern tactical approaches, rigid and practical tactical ones and teams that are always favorites to win the competition (Real Madrid, Manchester City), these are the teams I believe to be better prepared to lift the trophy at the end of the season.