The UEFA Champions League returns this week, and the 2021/22 season could be the most riveting campaign yet as the top sides in Europe fight for the biggest prize in club football. There are plenty of exciting narratives ahead of this fascinating season, and here are our Man’s Life Predictions for the 21/22 Champions League.
WINNERS
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Shivaan: Chelsea, Tomas Tuchel’s style of football is immensely suited to knockout competitions with their almost watertight defence and abundance of quality in attack. Tuchel’s Chelsea conceded only one goal in the knockouts last season, and I back them to defend their crown after adding Lukaku and Saul over the summer.
Shashank: PSG. They have the best front three world football has probably ever seen, and this could be the year where they finally win it.
UNDERDOGS
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Shivaan: Despite reaching the final two times in the last decade, Atletico Madrid have always been an underdog in the Champions League and Diego Simeone’s side could surprise few teams this season after adding the likes of Rodrigo de Paul and Griezmann this summer.
Shashank: Despite losing many players over the summer, current French champions Lille are in great form recently and have an incredibly easy group alongside Wolfsburg, Sevilla and RB Salzburg.
BIGGEST UNDERPERFORMERS
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Shivaan: Manchester United should make it through the group stages easily but the lack of depth in central midfield could pose a problem to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and cause an earlier than planned exit.
Shashank: Real Madrid have lost Raphael Varane & Sergio Ramos over the summer, and the lack of leadership at the back could cause them problems. The likes of Benzema, Kroos and Modric are all on the wrong side of 30, while Hazard and Bale are not the attacking threats they once were.
TOP GOAL SCORER
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Shivaan: While there are many contenders for this accolade, the correct answer has to be Erling Haaland. The quickest player ever to 20 goals in the Champions League, and with a relatively easy group alongside Ajax, Besiktas and Sporting, all signs point towards another historic season for the Norwegian.
Shashank: I am backing PSG to go all the way this season and the best player of all time – Lionel Messi – to remind the world of his greatness and win the golden boot this campaign.
SUMMER SIGNING WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
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Shivaan: The obvious answer here is Lionel Messi, but a slightly more left-field choice is Achraf Hakimi. The wing-back has already been electric for PSG in Ligue 1 this season, and his pace and directness from the right will cause teams plenty of headaches.
Shashank: Cristiano Ronaldo was brought to Manchester United to make an impact on the biggest stages, and his experience could help United make a deep run into the knockouts this season.
BIGGEST SURPRISE OF THE SEASON
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Shivaan: Despite losing Messi, Barcelona will still have a very successful season in the Champions League. Although the defence leaves a lot to be desired, Barcelona still have an incredible midfield trio of Busquets, De Jong and Pedri along with the likes of Depay and Ansu Fati, and could spring a few surprises this season by making it to the latter stages of the knockout rounds.
Shashank: After their historic Champions League semi-final run in 2019, Ajax could do some more giant-killing this season and shock one of the more traditional big teams in Europe.
[Image Credit: UEFA Champions League]
Shivaan Shah