Three-peat is called three successive Champions League Titles which is referred towards Real Madrid. In the modern era, Los Blancos is the only club to earn one of the most unique and unparalleled accomplishments. Back in the 1970’s this feat was achieved by Ajax and Bayern as well. It is unlikely that this sort of climax might even be replicated by the record-holding clubs. Let's have a look back at the journey of the Champions League three-peat. Champions League 2015-16 Real Madrid finished the group stage of 15-16 with the most points ( 16 ). This is the best one in their three-peat journey. Los Blancos passed through Roma 4-0 on aggregate in the round of 16. Cristiano Ronaldo's genius resulted in a turnaround in the Quarter-Finals. La Liga giant faced off the Pellegrini’s City in Semi-Finals. Real went into the Finals with a slight margin of 1-0 victory. The Vikings took on arch-rival Atletico Madrid in the Finals. The contest remained all square at full-time and relied ev...
Who are The Most Favourites and also The Most Surprising Teams in the face of Dark Horse that could stun in The Champions League 2022-23?
Champions League is the most important competition in Club Football. It is a battle of highly ranked teams of Europe where anyone could be the Winner. A competition that gives space to Big Clubs to become The Champions of Europe and also an opportunity for other talented clubs to showcase their skills and shock The Big Guns. None can perfectly predict the winner because many times UCL has come with an outside shot like Porto in 2004 and Chelsea in 2013 and 2021.
Champions League Favourites
Manchester City
Yes, Manchester City is The Most Favourite in this year's Champions League. It will be Pep Guardiola’s 7th season with the English Champions. Manchester City has already been in fine form. Moreover, they have signed The Golden player of the upcoming football era Erling Haaland. The 22-year-old Norwegian has a dream start to his City career with 14 Goals 1 Assist in 10 Games unbelievable. The genuine number 9 would be a critical factor for City’s European campaign.
The Citizens have lost some crucial knockout games in a shocking way like the recent loss against European Champions Real Madrid. However, they have a fine experience with big games and also depth in the squad.
Real Madrid
The Club of Spanish Capital is second on the list. They have begun the season where they left last season. They have played 6 games and won all in La Liga with 17 Goals for. However, it is true that Casemiro's departure has broken their famous midfield trio which had a vital contribution to their success. The place of Brazilian has been provided to Aurélien Tchouaméni who was a substantial asset to the Monaco squad.
An additional point for Los Blancos is the team’s high confidence level after Winning UCL and an experienced coach like Ancelotti.
Bayern Munich
6 Times Champions League winner are third in the list of Favourites. That’s the fact their Goal Machine has gone to Barcelona yet they are favourites because of top class talent and game chemistry of the Team. Bayern Munich always plays as a Team without depending on any specific individual. 31 Goals in 10 Games of the season is the cogent evidence for that.
Moreover, without Lewandowski other players will be more agile. Players like Sane, Müller and new signing Sadio Mane will take more responsibility for the attack.
PSG
A surprising number for PSG at fourth and reason is their individual brilliance. The Club is called Super Team, yet there is a lack of team chemistry. Last season in the Champions League they were more favourites with the sudden arrival of Lionel Messi. However, due to a lack of Team chemistry and understanding, they had a shocking loss to Real Madrid.
With the beginning of the new season along with the New Manager, they are looking much better than before. They are on top of Ligue 1 as well as UCL group stage and are unbeaten till the date. Yet there are some gaps that must be filled with the last piece of puzzle.
Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur is favourite for European Glory. The question must be why? Tottenham had reached the semifinals of the Carabao Cup but unfortunately, they lost 3-0. Tottenham finished last season with 9 points more than 20/21 season and occupied fourth place in EPL. In addition, Spurs mingled more this season with the coach as they understand what Antonio Conte demanded of them.
Moreover, Spurs is the only team other than Man City who is still unbeaten in the Premier League. What needs to arrive is the rhythm of Son Heung Min who has finally opened his goal account after 8 games with a Hat trick.
Champions League Dark Horses
Barcelona
What a sensational transfer window they have this season. Massive signings like Kounde, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski. However, they are included in the Dark Horses because the Team is new and many players need time to understand the gameplay. In football chemistry and rhythm is highly important to win Titles. Barca’s last seven seasons in Champions League haven’t gone as planned and the closest they came was in the 18/19 season.
But many have high expectations of the squad and the legend Xavi. So, in that sense they might come as the Champions League winner.
AC Milan
Rossoneri is the second on the list of dark horses. Finally, after an enormous time of living in a mid-table, AC Milan has come up as the Champions of Italy. The most successful club in Italian football can make things tricky for the opposition. Despite having a poor UCL season last year, they are stronger and more confident this year after winning Serie A after 11 years.
Defence stability is the only major requirement that has to show resilience otherwise the presence of Leao and Giroud up front could create problems for other Clubs.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s side is always the dark horse of any Champions League season. Their defensive style of playing keeps them in every Tournament as a hidden successor. However, Los Colchoneros don't have a bright start in La Liga and UCL. But they are a highly unpredictable side who has beaten a side like Liverpool in the 19/20 season and later on lose to RB Leipzig in the Quarter Finals.
Atletico Madrid is the only side other than Barca and Real who have won 2 La Liga in the last 15 years.
Liverpool
Champions League 2021/22 runners-up are the dark horses for this season. Yes, they are because of their performance since the final of Community Shield. The club that has given neck-to-neck competition to Manchester City last season is now fighting for the 4th spot. Moreover, they also lost 4-1 to Napoli in a recent game. The departure of Mane has literally cost Liverpool performance and the out-of-touch Salah is an additional scratch for The Reds.
Even so, Liverpool can turn the table around if new arrival Darwin Nunez and Salah find their best at the right time.
Benfica
The club from Primeira Liga is in super form. This season they are the only team other than Real Madrid who have a Perfect Winning Record. They have played 9 games in the 22/23 season and netted 23 Goals so far. Benfica is a group of talented players such as Gonçalo Ramos, Rafa Silva, Otamendi and many others, who work well together.
Recently they have defeated Juventus away and on second place in the group stage. Despite Nunez’s departure Benfica still kept their momentum and they are a unit to watch out for this season.
City has the highest chance this season. They were lacking No.9 for a long time. Haaland could be the factor to end Cityzen's wait for Champions League.
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