The Champions League is back, and you know what that means: a battle for the ultimate European glory! This season’s final trophy will be hoisted in Madrid on June 5 next year, and already the chatter is through the roof. Paris St-Germain is gunning for their *third* title in a row, a feat not seen since Real Madrid pulled it off between 2015 and 2018. Can they do it?
Can PSG Really Three-Peat?
Getting a three-peat is wild, man. Julien Laurens, one of the football experts, is calling it out: he doesn’t think PSG can pull it off. He says two in a row is already super special, but three? “Impossible,” unless you’ve got a legend like Cristiano Ronaldo on your squad, which they don’t. He figures they’ll be close, probably hitting at least the semi-finals, but that third consecutive title is just too tough. Guillem Balague agrees, pointing to PSG’s “irregular start to the season.” Luis Enrique is pushing for demanding, dynamic football, which Balague sees as a “time of transition and strange results” early on, even if the “main axis” is there. He still expects them to get “very close” to winning it again, but man, it sounds like a grind.
Arsenal’s Defense and Barcelona’s Ascent
So if not PSG, then who? Laurens is all-in on Arsenal, even after they were runners-up last year. He thinks they’ve got “the best defence in Europe by far” and that’s the real game-changer for winning titles. His final pick: Arsenal to win, with Bayern Munich as “close runners-up” and PSG in the last four. Balague is also high on Arsenal, saying they’ve “found a way to win regularly,” which has given their players a “release” to play even better. But here’s a curveball: Balague thinks Barcelona are “flying” right now. Hansi Flick wants to take them to the “next level,” even though they’d love a new center-back and a number nine. Balague’s semi-final picks are PSG, Barcelona, and Arsenal, unless the draw messes things up, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, or Manchester City fighting for that fourth spot. Talk about some serious competition!
Who You Gotta Watch When the Ball Drops
Beyond the team battles, we’ve got some serious talent to keep an eye on. Laurens picked out a couple of guys who are gonna light up the Champions League. First up is Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid, playing that number 10 role under Mourinho. After a killer World Cup, Laurens expects him to carry that momentum, score a ton of goals, and just be totally decisive. Then there’s Nico Paz, Como’s number 10. Como is making their Champions League debut, managed by Cesc Fabregas, and they’re apparently super entertaining to watch. Paz is “at the heart of everything they do with the ball,” a “special player” who is “very much in the making” but Laurens is sure he’ll be a “top player very soon.” Seriously, keep these names locked in, because they’re gonna deliver some highlight reel moments.
The league phase kicks off on Tuesday, so get ready! We’ve got a long road to June 5 next year, but with experts split on PSG’s chances and teams like Arsenal and Barcelona looking red hot, this Champions League season is shaping up to be absolutely wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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