The Champions League has always been a spectacle, but this 70th season has raised the stakes. The decision from UEFA to overhaul the format, replacing the classic group stage with a single league table of 36 teams, has delivered drama, surprises, and thrilling football.
The new set-up has shaken the established order, giving fans more reasons to stay glued to the action. Fans eager to catch the action live can head to seatsnet.com, the best ticket marketplace, to secure their Champions League final tickets and watch the finest strut their stuff.
As the tournament shifts into its knockout phase, early contenders are beginning to emerge from the pack. In this article, we dive into the standout teams, analysing their journeys and assessing their chances of claiming Europe’s ultimate prize.
Liverpool
Many envisaged Liverpool struggling this season after long-serving head coach Jurgen Klopp resigned, but Arne Slot has filled his boots seamlessly.
The Dutchman dropped Liverpool’s defensive line deeper, changed the pressing system, and emphasised more on possession. It has yielded incredible results.
Liverpool sit atop the Champions League table with a perfect record, claiming four wins from four games. They opened their campaign with a delightful victory over bitter European rivals AC Milan.
The Rossoneri, buoyed by their home support, came charging out of the blocks and took the lead through potential Liverpool transfer target Christian Pulisic.
Milan were a handful in the early exchanges. However, as Liverpool began to settle, they made light work of the Serie A giants, with centre-back duo Ibrahima Konate and Virgil Van Dijk scoring to turn the result around before Dominik Szoboszlai added the emphasis.
Liverpool dispatched Bologna and a shaky RB Leipzig, but it was in the fourth game they showed their credentials. They pummelled the reigning Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal champions Bayer Leverkusen 4-0, announcing their candidacy for a seventh title.
They look unstoppable. Imperious in defence, solid in the centre, and swashbuckling in attack, the Reds have earmarked themselves as early contenders for the title.
Inter Milan
Serie A giants Inter Milan are only two points away from Liverpool at the summit. They remain undefeated in Europe, with their only setback coming in the draw against Manchester City.
The Nerazzurri have not tasted European success since Jose Mourinho guided them to the treble in 2010, and they are desperate for a fourth Champions League victory.
It was a repeat of the 2023 Champions League final when Man City hosted Inter on matchday one, but there was nothing to separate both sides. The next matchday, the reigning Serie A champions thumped Red Star Belgrade 4-0.
A 1-0 win away at Young Boys preceded a morale-boosting win over Arsenal at the San Siro. Inzaghi lined up with practically his second team, prioritising the Serie A clash with Napoli and still emerged with a 1-0 victory.
Inzaghi’s team is a well-oiled machine that keeps on motoring, and they have all the tools in the box to go all the way. Calhanoglu was adamant that they could reach the final again, and after their displays this season, it is hard to argue with his assertion.
The only thing missing from Inzaghi’s glittering resume is a Champions League title, and he’d love to complete his collection this term. Not many European teams can stop this juggernaut once in motion.
Barcelona
Barcelona are a force to be reckoned with under manager Hansi Flick. The German coach turned this young team into one of the most feared sides in Europe.
They have the best attack by a country mile, and opponents now take to the field against them, fearing embarrassment. With barely any transfer funds in the coffers, Flick had to turn to youth, and they rose to the challenge.
Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Pedri, Gavi, and Fermin Lopez are young players delivering the goods for the Catalan club week in and week out.
They top their domestic league, but it has not been smooth sailing in Europe. Barca suffered a surprising 2-1 loss against AS Monaco in their first game. Eric Garcia was sent off early, and Les Monegasques made their man advantage count against the shell-shocked Spaniards.
Barca bounced back with a 5-0 mullering of Young Boys before an inspired 4-1 over European boogeymen Bayern Munich. Barca outclassed Die Rekordmeister, proving too quick, youthful, too slick and skilful.
They put the rest of Europe on red alert with that result and backed it with a 5-2 win over Red Star Belgrade. With 2020 winner Flick at the helm and his style translating so well, you wouldn’t put it past Barca to end their excruciating eight-year wait for another Champions League title this season.
Manchester City
Manchester City may sit in tenth place on the Champions League log after a handful of disappointing results, but they are still contenders for the title.
The Cityzens have shown countless times that they can turn it on in a snap and blitzkrieg their way to trophies, and the rest of Europe shouldn’t be fooled by their recent run of form.
The draw to Inter and shock 4-1 defeat at the hands of Sporting CP sees them sit just outside of the automatic qualification place, but they are stacked with quality, enough to see them make a deep run in the tournament.
In Erling Haaland, City have a striker capable of spearheading their bid for a second Champions League trophy. Kevin De Bruyne, due to age and wear and tear, has not been able to replicate his top showings, but the Belgian is famous for coming alive in the second half of the season.
If Pep Guardiola can get this Man City side to click again, they can cause maximum damage and blitz their way to another title.
If there is anyone who can find the tactical solution to the problems Man City currently face, it is the Spaniard. Guardiola is just one technical tweak away from leading this side to another European title.
Real Madrid
The Champions League table almost looks unreal, with 15-time winners Real Madrid sitting in 18th place after a difficult start to life in the new format.
Los Blancos, reigning champions, have struggled to muster cohesion this season, and it is affecting their results, but as far as they are in the Champions League, Madrid are always a good shout for the title.
While they raised the curtains with a win over VfB Stuttgart, the signs of the rot showed against the Germans. Madrid were against the ropes for most of the game and came out on top thanks to individual quality and sheer luck.
They missed the latter when they lost to LOSC Lille on matchday two, with the French side claiming a precious victory. Madrid were battered by Paulo Fonseca’s unconvincing AC Milan as Rafael Leao, Tijjani Reijnders and Christian Pulisic ran circles around them.
However, despite these egregious results, they have the most successful manager in the competition and a roster with some of the best players in the world. They have everything to turn their season around and defend their title properly.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side can come alive and steamroll their way to the big ears again. They have the pedigree and players to compete, but they need a spark to get them raring to go again.
