The Champions League
makes its exciting return this week and millions of fans across Europe are
dreaming that this could be their side’s year to lift that famous trophy and be
the undisputed kings of Europe. Real Madrid have dominated the competition
winning the previous 3 Champions Leagues beating Juventus, Atletico Madrid and
Liverpool last season. They love winning this competition lifting the trophy 13
times and they will fancy their chances of making it 14 come June 2019.
However, Real Madrid will no doubt face stiff competition from the other 31
sides participating this season and recording a record 4th straight
title is easier said than done.
Barcelona are no doubt
angry and envious watching their bitter rivals lift the Champions League year
after year. The Catalans were last kings of Europe in 2015 and they want supremacy
once again. A rejuvenated Lionel Messi and with the likes of Luis Suarez, Ousmane
Dembele and Philippe Coutinho around him, Barcelona will fancy their chances
this season after consecutive disappointing at the quarter finals. The red half
of Madrid may also have something to say this season after their Europa League
triumph last season. Greizmann, Simeone and co would love the chance to snatch
Europe’s top title from their city rivals. Atletico have never won the
Champions League but have reached 3 finals with their last being in 2016 losing
to Real Madrid. Greizmann is missing a Champions League medal from his illustrious
trophy cabinet and he will be determined to get his hands on one this season.
Valencia make their Champions League return this season and will be hoping to
make a statement. Marcelino has an excellent squad and he will be confident
Valencia can challenge the rest of Europe and certainly try and reach the
latter stages of the competition. There is no doubt Spain has dominated the
Champions League in the last few years with 5 consecutive titles heading to
Spain.
But could the
Champions League title return to English shores in 2019. Chelsea were the last
English side in 2012 but Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester
United will all feel they have a great chance at winning Europe’s top prize. After
last season’s dominance, Manchester City’s only blemish on a wonderful campaign
was a disappointing Champions League exit to Liverpool and Pep Guardiola will
be desperate to bring the Champions League to the blue half of Manchester having
not won the Champions League since his time in charge at Barcelona in 2011.
Liverpool will also fancy their chances after reaching last season’s final and
no doubt there will be a determination to go one better this season and lift the
trophy for a 6th time and since the famous Istanbul final of 2005.
Klopp has an exciting squad but also plenty of last season’s finalists still at
the club and no doubt Liverpool will be there or thereabouts once again this
season. Manchester United will also be targeting a long Champions League campaign
after a woeful campaign last time out losing in the last 16 to Sevilla. They
went out with a whimper and Mourinho will expect better this season as United
aim to be kings of Europe for the first time since 2008. Tottenham have never
reached the final of Europe’s top competition but have reached the knockout
phases of the competition but have been disappointing at this stage. Knocked
out by Juventus last season after holding an advantage for much of the tie and
no doubt Pochettino will want more this season. Harry Kane will also want to
showcase his skills in the big competition after brilliant Premier League campaigns
and a brilliant World Cup. The English clubs will fancy their chances and hope
to bring the Champions League title back to England.
However, could the
famous trophy be heading to Germany this season? Bayer Munich, Borussia
Dortmund, Schalke and Hoffenheim are the 4 German clubs aiming to bring Europe’s
top competition back to German shores. Bayer Munich are arguably Germany’s best
chance of seeing the Champions League return to Germany. The Bavarians last lifted
the trophy in 2013 in Jupp Heyneckes’ triple winning season but others
including Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Heyneckes again have failed to
bring the Champions League back. No doubt the Bayer Munich hierarchy
desperately want the Champions League and Niko Kovac must aim to do that this season.
The Bundesliga is generally assured for Bayer Munich but consecutive
disappointments in the Champions League are frustrating fans and players alike.
But can the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Arjen Robben and Franck
Ribery bring the Champions League back to Bavaria. Borussia Dortmund may also
fancy their chances of reaching the latter stages of the competition. A
disappointing exit in the group stages last season ultimately summed up a
miserable season overall for Dortmund last season. However, they are rejuvenated
under Lucien Favre and with the likes of Marco Reus, Axel Witsel and Christian
Pulisic in their ranks, you cannot rule out Dortmund. Schalke and Hoffenheim
will no doubt cause teams’ problems as they look to showcase their skills on
Europe’s top stage. Could the Champions League be heading back to Germany in
the very near future? Only time will tell.
Or will the famous
trophy be heading to Italian shores. Juventus have spent big in their aim of
becoming the kings of Europe. The Old Lady have been the bridesmaids and not
the brides in the previous two decades losing their last 5 Champions League
finals. The Old Lady last won in 1996 and clearly the wait has gone on long
enough. Juventus are desperate and smashed their transfer record to bring
Cristiano Ronaldo to Turin in the aim of winning the Champions League. Juventus
are serious contenders this season and Ronaldo will be a huge asset to them in
the competition because it has been his competition the last few years. But
could last season’s semi finalists Roma could a few steps better this season
and lift the trophy. Roma were magnificent in last season’s competition
knocking out Barcelona and losing to Liverpool in the final 4. They have never
tasted success in Europe’s top competition and no doubt just being in the
competition year in year out is not what the fans want. Could they spring a
surprise on the rest of Europe? We shall see. Napoli may also fancy their
chances this season. Under serial winner Carlo Ancelotti, the Naples club may
fancy their chances of causing a few surprises themselves and progressing
through the competition unnoticed. Ancelotti has plenty of quality at disposal with
the likes of Dries Mertens, Jose Callejon, Kalidou Koulibaly and Lorenzo
Insigne amongst his arsenal of quality. Its been a long 6 years for Inter Milan
since their last Champions League campaign. It has been years of poor campaigns
and mismanagement on and off the pitch. However, Luciano Spalletti has calmed
the frustrated ship and guided Inter to the top 4 last season and a return to
Europe’s top table and no doubt they will want to make the most of their opportunity.
The likes of Mauro Icardi finally getting their chance to showcase their
talents in the biggest European competition around. There are very strong contenders
in Italy and no doubt all 4 clubs will feel they have a good chance at potentially
winning the competition.
But certainly, PSG
will have throw their hypothetical hat into ring. Years of consistent spending
have not delivered the title the whole club is desperate for. Kylian Mbappe,
Neymar, Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria and co have so far failed to bring
Europe’s top competition to the French capital. Thomas Tuchel is the next manager
tasked with delivering the Champions League. PSG have largely flattered to deceive
in the Champions League and frustrating the entire club and the pressure will continue
to intensify until they finally win Europe’s top competition. Could 2019 be
that year? However, Monaco and Lyon may also fancy their chances at sustaining
a Champions League charge. Despite constant player changes season after season,
Monaco remain a competitive force and will again fancy they can push in Europe
with their best run being back in 2004 when they lost in the final to Mourinho’s
Porto team. Jardim has done a wonderful job at Monaco having reached the
semi-finals in 2017 losing to Juventus and no doubt they will hoping to reach similar
heights this season. Lyon are making their return to the Champions League after
regular Europa League campaigns in seasons gone by. Bruno Genesio has plenty of
talents in his ranks with the likes of Nabil Fekir and Memphis Depay being vital
in how they play and all these on form could cause teams problems. While France
seems an unlikely destination for the Champions League in 2019, you cannot rule
it out with PSG certainly being the best chance of the famous trophy returning
to France for the first time since Marseille’s victory in 1993.
There are other sides
in Europe who could possibly surprise a few including Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven
and Ajax while Porto and Benfica also will aim to spring a surprise on some of
their bigger European rivals. Champions League regulars Shaktar Donetsk usually
progress to the last 16 of the competition and course teams plenty of problems
and no doubt they will be tough opposition once again this season. Turkish champions
Galatasaray also aiming to cause one or two problems and who knows go far in
the competition, but this could difficult with many others competing in a similar
fashion.
The 2018/19 Champions
League will certainly be the most competitive yet with many sides believing
they can win the competition but only one will stand tall and take the crown in
2019. Can Real Madrid make it a record 4th title in row or will we
have a new champion next year only time will tell but one thing for sure, the
Champions League will bring quality goals, brilliant football, moments of controversy
and shocks and that’s why we love the Champions League as football fans as its
Europe’s best 32 fighting to be the undisputed king of Europe. The Champions
League is here and is ready to excite fans across the world as the most prestigious
competition returns in all its glory.