The return of Europe’s elite competition is right around the corner and 32 top sides from the continent will have different objectives for their Champions League campaign, a tournament that has been dominated by Real Madrid in recent years.
Los Blancos have won the trophy each of the last three seasons and have also won four of the last five, in a dominating spell led largely by club icon Zinedine Zidane – but the manager has since left, along with Cristiano Ronaldo.
That gives the Spanish giants a huge task ahead of them to lift the title again this season and hands hope to a number of clubs who will be looking for glory this term – but who realistically can eye a spot in the final in Madrid and end Real’s dominance? We take a look.
Barcelona
Defending La Liga champions, Barcelona have slipped in Europe’s elite competition in recent years and threw away an advantage over Roma last year as they were knocked out in the quarter-finals in dramatic style.
Set for their second spell under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, Barca have strengthened their squad significantly this year to land Brazilian trio Philippe Coutinho, Arthur and Malcom to provide a huge boost to their squad.
With Ousmane Dembele finally hitting his stride and Lionel Messi still leading the line alongside Luis Suarez, Barcelona will always be considered amongst the favourites for glory and this could be their year.
Juventus
Defeated finalists in two of the last four seasons, Juventus have not lifted Europe’s biggest trophy since 1996 and have struggled to overcome the final hurdles in the two decades since. However, they have received a huge boost this season.
Signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid gives Juventus a player who has seen and done it all in the competition, although he has yet to settle to life in Italy, and completes what is a devastating attacking line.
With Paulo Dybala, Douglas Costa and Juan Cuadrado also in their ranks, the Serie A champions have the capability to boast a forward trio capable of emulating Real Madrid’s ‘BBC’ from recent years, while their squad has also benefited from the signing of Emre Can and the return of Leonardo Bonucci.
Manchester City
Storming to Premier League glory last season, achieving a tally of over 100 points on the way, the biggest criticism of Manchester City in recent years has been their inability to transfer their domestic success onto the European stage.
With an incredible squad and Pep Guardiola at the helm, Manchester City have their best chance yet this season and it could be the last opportunity for a number of legends to get their hands on the trophy.
The likes of Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero are in the final years of their career at the Etihad Stadium but the Citizens have a young contingent ready to take chance, which includes Aymeric Laporte, Phil Foden and Gabriel Jesus. As such, the squad has the ideal mix to push for continental glory, which is reflected in the Champions League betting odds that have City as 17/4 favourites.
Paris Saint-Germain
Like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain have struggled to transfer their Ligue 1 dominance into the Champions League and it was the failure to compete in the competition that ultimately saw Unai Emery leave this summer despite winning a domestic treble.
In his place comes Thomas Tuchel, a manager who has a stern task on his hands getting a squad bursting with stars into shape. With Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Edinson Cavani leading the line, PSG are another side to have an attacking trio capable of dominating this term.
The capture of Gianluigi Buffon, who joins fellow veteran Dani Alves at the club, could also provide a huge boost to the French giants hopes of excelling and the club will also be buoyed on by France’s World Cup glory.
Liverpool
Defeated finalists last year, Jurgen Klopp has to prove himself after falling at the final hurdle in a number of competitions in his career but it would take a brave man to write off Liverpool given their strengths.
Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane tore clubs apart both domestically and on the continent last season, while the capture of Xherdan Shaqiri and return of Daniel Sturridge provides depth that was missing last term.
With the additions of Alisson, Naby Keita and Fabinho, Liverpool have also bolstered their squad in key areas and, on paper at least, have a side capable of going toe-to-toe with the biggest sides in Europe once again.
Bayern Munich
Relatively unchallenged in the Bundesliga in recent years, Bayern Munich are another club that has struggled to transfer those successes into the Champions League but changes took place in the close season.
Niko Kovac has arrived to take charge of a Bayern squad who, like Manchester City, see a number of established players approaching the end of their spells and potentially having one last chance of success – a list that includes Manuel Neuer, Frank Ribery, Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski.
While the stars of their squad tend to be players with plenty of experience, the likes of Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso, Niklas Sule and Serge Gnabry provide youthful options for Kovac and, like the Citizens, could result in the perfect mix.
Atletico Madrid
Winners of the Europa League last season and runners-up in LaLiga, Atletico Madrid’s biggest success came just before the World Cup where Antoine Griezmann announced his decision to stay – and then lifted the trophy in Russia.
Diego Simeone’s squad this season boasts significantly more depth than in recent years following the signings of Gelson Martins, Thomas Lemar, Antonio Adan, Santiago Arias, Rodi and Nikola Kalinc.
With Jan Oblak, Diego Godin, Saul Niguez, Koke and Griezmann providing one of the best spines in Europe, Atletico will be encouraged by the opportunity to lift the Champions League at their own stadium at the end of the campaign and should not be overlooked.