The expanded and new-look Champions League is just around the corner and Europe’s premier competition promises to throw up some more sensational stories in 2024/25.
Real Madrid increased the gap between themselves and the chasing pack at the end of last season, claiming a remarkable 15th European Cup after beating Borussia Dortmund in the final. You have to cast your eye all the way down to Milan for the club with the next most triumphs in the competition, the Italian giants boasting seven titles.
However, this season’s Champions League will be bigger than ever before. Four more teams will be competing in the competition, with the group stage having been abolished in favour of a streamlined league phase process. How that might impact the tournament and its most successful sides remains to be seen.
With that in mind, here are the favourites for the 2024/25 Champions League – ranked.
8.Inter
Inter claimed the Serie A title last season having come so close to Champions League glory in 2022/23. Losing the final 1-0 to Manchester City in a match that could have gone either way, it felt like a real missed opportunity for the Milan club.
Their European record has been surprisingly poor since their last triumph in 2010 and they exited at the last 16 once again last term. But Simone Inzaghi has moulded the Nerazzurri into one of Europe’s most devastating sides and the in-form Lautaro Martinez heads into 2024/25 fresh from firing Argentina to glory at the Copa America.
It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Inter are fighting for the crown come the latter stages of the season, but there are a number of teams who are considered bigger favourites.
7. Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain have found some remarkable ways to implode in the latter stages of the Champions League. For the club’s Qatari owners, it’s the ultimate prize, and one that still proves elusive.
2023/24 was another close call for the Ligue 1 champions, who reached the semi-final under Luis Enrique. After some sensible transfer business last summer and with Kylian Mbappe in flying form, it was one of their most impressive European campaigns of recent years.
However, they have now lost their talisman to Real Madrid and history suggests that it may prove too challenging for PSG to claim a first European Cup.
Still, it would be foolish to discount the French giants.
6. Barcelona
Barcelona’s disastrous Champions League quarter-final defeat to PSG last season was one of the key reasons behind Xavi’s sacking. In new manager Hansi Flick, they have someone with experience of lifting the Champions League trophy aloft.
The German won the competition with Bayern Munich in 2019/20 and will be eager to add a second European Cup to his honours list in Catalonia. Problems persist on and off the field for La Blaugrana, but they still have an extremely talented squad.
It will be challenging for Flick to repeat his Bayern heroics on the continent in 2024/25 and Barca still find themselves in the shadows of Clasico rivals Real Madrid when it comes to European success.
5. Bayern Munich
Bayern were also semi-finalists in 2023/24 under Thomas Tuchel but fell to a dramatic late defeat to eventual champions Real Madrid to deny the world a Klassiker final at Wembley for the second time in the 21st century. Subsequently, Harry Kane’s trophy curse continued.
Hiring Vincent Kompany as Tuchel’s replacement certainly raised eyebrows. The Belgian was relegated with Burnley last season and has no experience of managing at such a high level.
However, the former Man City defender has a distinct philosophy centred around high-risk, high-reward passing football, which may lend itself well to Bayern’s exceptional squad.
Things surely can’t get worse for the Bavarians in 2024/25 after a trophyless season under Tuchel.
4. Liverpool
Much like Barcelona and Bayern, Liverpool find themselves under new management for 2024/25. Jurgen Klopp’s departure at the end of last season has left a significant void, one that former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has been tasked with filling. The early signs are positive.
Liverpool supporters won’t expect a Champions League title in what is guaranteed to be a transitional season, but the Reds’ history in Europe’s premier competition means they can never be written off. With the likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alexis Mac Allister in their ranks, they are in with a shot at claiming a seventh European Cup.
Of course, it remains to be seen how effectively the tactical shifts taking place under Slot will work in the Champions League, but some of Europe’s other big guns also find themselves in times of uncertainty. Could Liverpool take advantage?
3. Arsenal
The competition that Arsenal would love to win more than any other. The Gunners made a strong return to the competition in 2023/24 after many years away, reaching the quarter-final with little fuss. However, on the big stage, they froze.
Arsenal were favourites for their last-eight clash with Bayern but underwhelmed under the weight of expectation. Mikel Arteta will be hoping that such an experience will be beneficial for the north London outfit for the upcoming Champions League campaign.
Arsenal have shown few signs of slowing down their pursuit of domestic and European glory and they have a squad reaching its prime, with plenty of game-changers within their ranks.
There are still question marks over the squad’s mentality when things get tricky, though.
2. Manchester City
Man City were favourites to defend their Champions League crown in 2023/24 and if it wasn’t for a couple of missed penalties in a quarter-final shoot-out with Real Madrid, they may well have done.
The 2022/23 champions look likely to throw their significant weight around in this season’s competition and there is absolutely nothing stopping them from claiming a second triumph.
They have a world-class goalkeeper, an array of elite defenders, the best defensive midfielder in the world, some incredible creative maestros and a relentless finisher leading the line. They are unstoppable at their best.
If Man City were to claim the Champions League again in 2024/25, it could be a perfect way for Pep Guardiola to bow out.
1. Real Madrid
Reigning champions Real Madrid have earned the right to be considered favourites for 2024/25. The fact that they have added Mbappe to their star-studded squad only improves their chances of claiming a 16th European Cup.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side already have a European trophy in their back pocket after winning the UEFA Super Cup in mid-August and they are only likely to improve as the season wears on. As their superstar Frenchman adapts to new surroundings, it’s frightening to think of the quality they boast both on the pitch and in the dugout.
You would be brave to bet against Real Madrid in any Champions League campaign. Their affinity with the competition is remarkable and their ability to sustain blows and still come out on top is second to none.
