Teams to watch out for in this season's Champions League

Dark Horses

Liverpool

Liverpool was unlucky in some respects to lose the 2018 CL Final. However, with their high-pressing style, and bountiful transfer window spend, they can possibly be amongst the prime favourites to win it. Mo Salah, who was injured by Ramos in the final, will be elemental in them attaining a sixth Champions League title.

Atletico Madrid

The Europa League winners from last season still possess World Cup winner Griezmann, and other top talents like Costa, Godin, etc. Simeone is still a top manager, and they could represent another dark horse for the competition. The defeats to Real Madrid in the finals of late will also spur them on.

Manchester United

Despite current issues with Jose Mourinho, and the players, the manager and the club have great traditions in winning this competition. And their current issues notwithstanding, they do still hold World Cup winner Pogba, Alexis Sanchez, Lukaku, Martial, Rashford, de Gea, and other top players. Doing well in the CL could greatly ameliorate any domestic concerns arising. Mourinho also would love to prove how he has still got it by winning the CL – a competition he has won with Inter in 2010 and Porto in 2004.

Napoli

The club of Maradona, it is not historically as big as Juve, AC Milan, or Inter. But it is a big club in its own right, and due to challenging Juve closely in recent years. Though former CL winner Carlo Ancelotti is their new manager, and he will be looking to increase his total having won the competition with AC Milan and Real Madrid prior.

Juve may be Italy’s best hope this time, but Napoli may be seeking to gain European success as well as a potential Scudetto. I know on the prior page, I mentioned Liverpool could finish above Napoli. However, this group will be close, and should Napoli qualify, they hold what it takes to progress further.

So this year’s CL will be as exciting as ever. But for me, Juve is the team to watch, largely since they are eager to match domestic success with European triumphs. And Ronaldo was bought in large part to help bridge the gap.