Latest Champions League News

The champions league is the pinnacle in European football. The best teams from the top leagues come together to see who the champions of Europe are. However, in recent times, football has seen a change in atmosphere with the troubles of the global pandemic forcing teams to play in empty stadiums, while the introduction of VAR has left a lot of fans falling out of love with the beautiful game. 

The most recent winners are Chelsea football club who beat Manchester City at the Estadio do Dragao in Portugal. Manchester City is the bookie’s favourite this year, taking that final step to see Pep Guardiola finally lift the champions league trophy. Still, no matter your opinions, the champions league is definitely a league worth betting on. 

Qualifying Stages

Qualifying rounds have already seen the likes of Scottish teams Celtic and Rangers fall short, both dropping out of the competition. The final playoff stage is still yet to be played with teams such as Shakhtar Donetsk, Sheriff, Salzburg, Benfica, Malmo, and Young Boys all looking like they are going to qualify.

Team News

This year, the transfer window has seen tremendous changes, with Barcelona and Real Madrid losing their club talisman. Sergio Ramos has been an influential member of the Real Madrid dressing room for 16 seasons, playing in the champions league each year. Through his time at Real Madrid, he has lifted Europe’s most prestigious trophy four times. Unfortunately, his time with Real Madrid is over, but Sergios’ time in the champions league is not finished yet, as he will be trying to help PSG in their efforts to lift the trophy.

Another Spanish giant has seen the most decorated player in world football leave this transfer window with Lionel Messi joining Sergio Ramos at PSG. Due to the financial situation Barcelona has found itself in, their club poster boy can no longer be supported with the £620,000 a week contract he is now receiving. Messi has never played in a league away from Spain, with a lot of people saying this is a true test to see if he really is the best player in the world. PSG have found themselves with two of the best players in world football. Along with their already strong squad, they are undoubtedly one of the front runners to make an impact on the champions league this year.

The reigning champions Chelsea have introduced a new face to their squad in recent weeks. Romalu Lukaku has just helped Inter Milan to their first title win in 11 years with 24 goals in the season. Chelsea is looking to take home the trophy for a consecutive year, but their £97.5 million will give them what it takes.

Liverpool is another one of the hot favourites to lift the champions league trophy this year, with the team looking to make amends for last year’s slow season. Injury after injury saw Liverpool reach third place in the Premier League last season. However, those injuries combined with the lack of atmosphere at Anfield due to Covid restrictions made Liverpool’s title defending year look not all that great. While not many transfers have been made during this window, players such as Diogo Jota, Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Jordan Henderson making a return to the playing field, this Liverpool team have something to prove this season.

With their dramatic penalty shootout loss in the Europa League final last year, Manchester United are setting their sights on victory in the champions league. This season, they have made some great signings, with the hot prospect Jayden Sancho signing from Borussia Dortmund for a cool £73 million. Raphael Varane has already established himself in La Liga with a 10 season stint at Real Madrid. Looking to prove himself in the premier league, the Frenchman is looking to secure a defensive partnership with captain Harry Maguire. Mason Greenwood has been playing for the first team for a couple of years now, slowly becoming a regular player for the team. Can his fast pace and precise shooting ability help Manchester United in their efforts to become champions of Europe? Only time will tell.

English Football and the Champions League

The Premier League is the pinnacle of domestic football in current times, with players wanting to establish themselves in what is currently the most competitive league. This high standard has fed into the champions league, with the four big teams Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United, all being top contenders looking to lift the trophy after the final in Seville on the 18th May 2022.