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The Champions League is the most prestigious trophy for European clubs. Continental glory is something every player and club cherishes to the fullest, as it is no easy feat. While the domestic season pits you against other teams in the same region, the Champions League requires a club to beat the best sides from other countries too.
Champions League glory has eluded certain big clubs in the past
The Champions League trophy is considered the epitome of club football's success. Every top team chases this dream at the beginning of the season. However, some sides that have prioritized this for years, with top signings and world-class managers, have failed to win.
Meanwhile, certain historic clubs that were more often than not always one of the favorites to win have also gone through a dry spell. These clubs have done everything feasible to try and win the trophy with big ears this season, and their fans and board always demand success.
Five such teams who will be chasing the coveted Champions League trophy in 2021-22 have been ranked on this list in order of their 'desperation' to win:
#5 Real Madrid
Real Madrid are a club that is accustomed to winning the Champions League trophy. Los Blancos have been crowned the best team in Europe on 13 occasions, nearly twice as many as the second-best team, AC Milan, who have won it seven times. Real's most dominant run was from 2014-2018, when they won the Champions League four times in five years.
Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018, Real Madrid have never really been considered favorites to win. The historic club have been knocked out twice in Round of 16 since. They did manage to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2020-21 season, before being eliminated by eventual champions Chelsea.
Ahead of the 2021-22 season, there have been several changes at Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane has left his post as manager, with Carlo Ancelotti being brought in as his replacement. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane have left the club, joining PSG and Manchester United respectively.
Despite the departures, Los Blancos have a pretty solid squad. They boast one of the best midfields in the world with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro. Eden Hazard seems to have finally recovered from his ankle problems and Karim Benzema is in a rich vein of form.
At Real Madrid, every season commences with the objective of winning the Champions League, and the 2021-22 season will be no different. The potential arrival of superstar Kylian Mbappe from PSG could further provide them with a massive boost as they begin their quest to regain their elite status.
#4 Manchester United
Manchester United, who have won the domestic league a record 20 times, have been crowned the Champions of Europe on three occasions. The last time the Red Devils won the Champions League trophy was in 2008, in an all-English final with Chelsea. Ever since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, the club has been rebuilding and has failed to attain the status of Champions of Europe.
Several high profile managers, including ex-Champions League winners Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, have failed to recreate their success at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is currently the man at the helm overlooking the rebuild. His insistence on a 'project' has seen the Red Devils steadily progress over the past couple of seasons.
Ever since his arrival, the former Manchester United striker has been backed in the transfer market. Jadon Sancho is their most expensive arrival this window. The exciting winger wasn't the only addition, as four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane has also joined from Real Madrid. Solskjaer has so far failed to win a trophy in his two full seasons at the club and will be hoping to change that this season.
As someone who scored the winning goal in a Champions League final, Solskjaer knows first-hand how it feels to lift the trophy. With a star-studded squad now at his disposal, the Norwegian manager will be hoping the Old Trafford faithful get to experience Champions League glory again. Especially since Manchester United haven't been called the 'Champions of Europe' for as long as 13 years.
#3 Juventus
Juventus' record in the Champions League permits them to make a case for being the unluckiest side in the competition's history. Despite being crowned winners twice (in 1985 and 1996), they hold the record for losing the final on the most number of occasions. The Bianconeri have reached the final of the Champions League nine times and lost on seven occasions, most recently in 2017.
The Italian club, who have won the domestic title a record 36 times, have tried everything to break the Champions League jinx. Ahead of the 2018-19 season, they even signed five-time Champions League winner Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. However, Juventus did not manage to get past the quarter-finals that year.
After being knocked out in the Round of 16 in consecutive years under Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo, Juventus have decided to hire Massimiliano Allegri once again. Reclaiming the Scudetto in the 2021-22 season is a high priority for the Juventus board. However, with Ronaldo's contract set to expire in 2022, the Italian side will push hard for the Champions League trophy too.
Allegri led Juventus to two Champions League finals in three years, in 2015 and 2017. Ahead of the 2021-22 edition, the Italian manager will hope to bring the coveted trophy to Italy for the first time since 2010, when Jose Mourinho won the treble with Inter Milan.
#2 Manchester City
Since Pep Guardiola's arrival, Manchester City have dominated the Premier League. The Citizens have won the title in three of the last four years, along with several domestic cup competitions too. However, they have struggled at the continental stage.
Manchester City reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history in 2021. Prior to this, they had been knocked out by the likes of Lyon, Monaco, Liverpool and Tottenham in the earlier rounds. This season, however, continental glory will be high on Pep Guardiola's list - something which he has failed to achieve since 2011.
The arrival of Jack Grealish for a record British transfer fee from Aston Villa could soon be followed by the acquisition of Harry Kane from Tottenham. The Manchester City hierarchy have acquired every target that Guardiola has asked for, and the onus will be on him to deliver this season.
Boasting one of the best squads in Europe currently, the Spanish manager will be under pressure to win the Champions League in 2021-22.
#1 Paris Saint-Germain
Ever since Qatar Sports Investments took over PSG in 2011, the club's rise has been rapid. Prior to their acquisition, the Ligue 1 giants were in a difficult situation. Following a fresh inflow of cash, however, PSG quickly returned to the top and have dominated Ligue 1 in recent seasons.
Although they are not the most successful French club in history, this could soon change should recent trends continue.
The new owners have managed to put together a star-studded team. The goal in mind, of course, is to win the Champions League. Thomas Tuchel led them to their first ever final in 2019-20, but they lost out to Bayern Munich by a 1-0 scoreline.
They failed to replicate this in 2020-21, as they crashed out in the semi-finals against Manchester City. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, Mauricio Pochettino will be under insurmountable pressure to deliver the trophy as they have signed Lionel Messi.
The Argentine's move to PSG from Barcelona has shaken the world. Over the years, PSG have pulled off some ambitious moves, acquiring Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. However, signing one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport surely tops the list. It also goes without saying that the owners expect the Champions League trophy to be in the cabinet by the end of the season.
PSG have also completed the signings of Sergio Ramos and Georgino Wijnaldum, who are both Champions League winners. Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won the Player of the Tournament at the Euros, has also been brought in.
Inter's Achraf Hakimi, who was an integral part of their title-winning squad, is another excellent acquisition by PSG this summer. Additionally, they have a pretty solid team to begin with - Neymar, Mbappe, Marco Verratti and Marquinhos are some of the best players in the world in their positions.
All in all, PSG arguably have the best squad in Europe currently. Mauricio Pochettino, who led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, will be under immense pressure to win the competition in 2021-22.
Failure to do so could cost the Argentine manager his job, as the PSG board have made it clear that they will stop at nothing to win the Champions League.
