The group stage of the UEFA Champions League begins, it’s time to get to know the 32 participants: squads, coaches and possible revelations.
A special, romantic, historic Champions League: UEFA’s 69th major club competition will also be the last under the current formula, which involves 32 teams in the group stage.
Dethroning Guardiola’s Manchester City, who are starting out as the team to beat, will certainly not be easy, but after the inspiring performance of the Italian sides in the last edition, many are dreaming of turning up at Wembley on June 1st to raise the big-eared cup to the skies .
The first half of the decade was characterized by Los Blancos’ dominance, but the last five seasons have seen changes in leadership clearly reflect the competitiveness and unpredictability of the Champions League. The question is in the details that cost Inzaghi’s Inter their legendary triumph in Istanbul.
Liverpool, Bayern, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City are the latest winners: who knows, maybe it will be the turn of the Italian team with Inter, Milan and Napoli (not forgetting about Lazio, which on paper starts one step lower) to claim the role of an outsider.
Let’s analyze the 32 participants by team: from the favorites for the final victory to possible revelations.