Opinion: 3 reasons why the Champions League might have a new winner this year

3. Relative poor form of the traditional heavyweights:

Traditional giants like Real, Barca, Bayern and Juve have been relatively poor this season. Barca failed to score against Lyon, while both Real and Bayern have had a forgettable start to the season before recovering considerably.

Juve might find it difficult to make it to the last 8, and last year’s runners-up Liverpool also have their task cut out against Bayern in the second leg of their round of 16 tie. Barca are heavily reliant on Lionel Messi, but even the diminutive genius from Argentina cannot bail them out every time. Luis Suarez has struggled to find form in the last few matches, and Barca have found it very difficult to score at times.

Real are always a big threat in the Champions League, and remain one of the favorites to win the trophy this year too. However, they are still coping with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and might find it extremely tough to win their 4th consecutive Champions League trophy.

The relative poor form of the traditional heavyweights has made the job easier for the likes of City, Atletico, Tottenham and PSG. Each of them has a realistic chance of winning their maiden Champions League title this year, and we can definitely look forward to getting a new winner.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Zaid Khan