The Champions League is back and in full swing with round of 16 fixtures. However who is your pick to win the entire thing? Today that is what I will be trying to figure out and will give you my personal prediction as to who will be the Champions of Europe. I will be naming 5 teams who I think have a chance in order from 5 to 1, with 1 being who I think will win it all!
5. Liverpool
Liverpool have had a very bad season so far compared to the usual high standards they set. Although injuries especially defensive injuries to Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez have meant that they have been very inconsistent and have failed to win at Anfield in 2021. However you can never count this side out and Klopp has always had the reds set up for European football very well. The winners of the cup 2 years ago have always been a good knockout team under the German manager and on their day can beat anyone in Europe. Definitely an outside shot for this season but with already being 2 goals up in the tie with Leipzig a quarter final seems to be on the cards again. Thiago gives them even more winning experience but with him not shining so far and the team relying quite heavily on youth at times too it will be quite the task to win back the holy grail of European football.
4. Real Madrid
Like the team before on this list, Real Madrid have an amazing history with this competition and are of course at the top of the list of all time winners of the European cup being crowned Champions 13 times in history. Currently second in LaLiga being a few points behind neighbours and rivals Athletico they have a good but rather frustrating season. They are progressing and getting better but a lot of fans still think they are struggling with life after Cristiano Ronaldo and I’d be inclined to agree. This being said they have a rather exciting squad and with players like Benzema and Toni Kroos still playing at the very top level plus the inclusion of youth in Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr they are looking a dangerous team and like Liverpool on their day could beat anyone. This year maybe a bit early but look out for the white of Madrid in the next few years.
3. Manchester City
They may not be my favourite to win the competition this year but they are the team that arguably need to win it the most. Being one of the best teams in Europe for years now they have still failed to capture the clubs main objective. The Champions League is the big one for fans and staff at the club but so far they are yet to get to a final. However with this year looking like they could have the league in the bag again attention will be turning once again to Europe and seeing if they can finally go all the way. City have looked magical at times this season and they haven’t even had star man Sergio Aguero for most of it with Ilkay Gundogan showing his talent as a number 9 in recent games. If they can keep the nerves under control then you could see them finally raising that trophy aloft come the end of the season.
2. Paris Saint-Germain
PSG were finalists in this competition just last year and as we all remember they were beaten by the better team in Bayern Munich. However this season they arguably look even better as not only have they kept all the superstars but have signed some more depth. The biggest addition of course is the new boss Mauricio Pochettino formerly of Tottenham. He has brought a new system and tactics to the side and looks to be getting the very best out of future ballon d’or winner Kylian Mbappe. Him and Neymar have a fantastic partnership and with proven goal scorers Mauro Icardi and Moise Kean in the side too they have all the attributes to be problem for everyone. With Mbappe being only the third player to score a hat trick against Barcelona. They look on course to get to the final in consecutive seasons and have every chance of winning it.
1. Bayern Munich
Winning the Champions League is hard, but retaining it is even harder. Madrid doing it so many times in a row is what made them one of the great sides of all time and this Bayern team have all the attributes to go on and do the same. With superstars and young prospects all over the pitch they have been the best team in Europe for a while now. With Lewandowski seemingly proving to everyone that age is but a number and players like Kimmich and Alphonso Davies becoming the best in their position in Europe its obvious why they are still the favourites to win this years completion. Top of the league in Germany again and flying going forward they are going to a force to stop and with the depth they still have they have every chance of lifting the trophy once again this year.
(Bonus) 6. Borussia Dortmund
As a little bonus entry to this list I wanted to spare a few words for Borussia Dortmund. Now I do not see them winning the cup this year, in fact I’d be happily surprised if they made it to the semi’s however they are personal one of favourite teams to watch. They play and open and attacking style of football and defensively can be very open which is why I think this year wont be their time but if they continue to progress and keep getting better they have every chance in the near future. Erling Haaland is already one of the best strikers in the world and I think will be the best one day. Jadon Sancho has re-found his form and the youth prospects they have with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Giovanni Reyna are frankly frightening. Watch out for them causing a surprise result or two this year and other than my own team of course, they are who I would love to see win out of anyone.
Thanks for reading everyone! I hope you found it interesting and let me know who you think will win this years Champions League and whether you agree with my list or not. Check out my other articles and my Fab 5 Predictor page too! Also follow my twitter @thebguk to get lots of little news pieces and live tweeting along with matches. Thanks again and see you next time.
– Jack
TheBeautifulGame 