The group stages of the Champions League is over and we have now reached a point where we can sense the most favourite teams to win the trophy by the end of it all. The usual suspects are the ones that we already know: Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
However, this time, there is a feeling that a change is on the horizon. While Real Madrid might be the defending champions, they have been having their own problems this season. Meanwhile, Barcelona are leading the league, but are stuttering their way through.
Bayern Munich sacked Carlo Ancelotti earlier this season and have hired Jupp Heynckes as the interim coach, which puts us in a safe position to believe that the Bavarians are in a transitional phase. At this point of time, cash-rich clubs Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain look like the two favourites – and here are 5 reasons why…
#5 Super strong teams
Both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain had strong teams prior to the transfer window. However, they took it to another level with flamboyant spending in the transfer market. Both the clubs spend gargantuan amounts of money – that goes over a combined amount of €450 million – to refurbish their squads.
And, my oh my, what a way to do it.
The trio of Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar are ripping apart defences in both the Champions League and Ligue 1, scoring a combined 47 goals in all competition this season. Safe to say, that they could very well end up with more than 100 by the time the season ends.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s improved wing-backs are wreaking havoc against oppositions. Indeed, the improved form of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus’ consistent rise to the top could be traced back to City’s full-backs creating more width for them to flourish in.
As a result, City seem almost unbeatable and…
#4 Guardiola has found balance
One of the best attributes of a good coach is his ability to find balance with his team. And as fast as one could do it, the better. After spending one season at the Etihad, the Catalan realized that the only way to get quick success at the club is to buy his way to it – and he did just that.
The Etihad club already had a great attack and midfield. Even their central defence is up to the mark. However, the only place they lagged behind the others was the full-back section. Since the full-backs are a very important part in Guardiola’s system – or any other system in the modern day for that matter – the former Barcelona coach went full-on gung-ho in the transfer market.
As a result, he acquired the trio of Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur, Danilo from Real Madrid and Benjamin Mendy from AS Monaco. And so far, it has done wonders as Guardiola’s men are currently unbeaten in the Premier League this season and seem like a force that can’t be stopped by anyone.
#3 The trio of Paris Saint-Germain
Let’s talk more about the trio of Paris Saint-Germain. When Zlatan Ibrahimovic was at the club, Edinson Cavani had to be a deputy role – mostly on the wings – to get the best out of the Swede. After his departure, however, Cavani took centre stage and hasn't looked behind ever since.
This season, the Uruguayan is the highest scorer among the players in the top 5 leagues with 23 goals from 21 games. He is partnered by the young and brilliant Kylian Mbappe, who at the age of 18, has been judged as the 7th best player in the world.
The 18-year-old Frenchman scored 26 goals from 44 games last season to not only help Monaco to the Ligue 1 title, but also carry them to the semi-final of the Champions League.
And then there is Neymar. The Brazilian helped Barcelona make a comeback from a 4-0 deficit from the first leg to a 6-1 win at the Camp Nou against the very team he plays for today.
The fact that PSG spent a record €222 million for the Brazilian goes to show how much they wanted him in the team.
And now, these three are wreaking havoc against defences and there is only so much anyone can try to do to stop them.
#2 Have multiple match-winners
It is not only about the full-backs of Manchester City or the forwards of the Parisians; they also have some other great players too – players who could change the scope of the game within the blink of an eye. While all the limelight is taken by the trio of Neymar, Cavani and Mbappe, Emery's midfield combination has also done extremely well.
Indeed, without a properly functioning midfield, the attackers won’t click. The likes of Adrien Rabiot, Marco Verratii and, in particular, Julian Draxler have the capability to turn the game on its head. And we can’t forget about Angel di Maria, no matter how bad his form has been.
For Manchester City, the strength in depth is insane. They have the privilege to keep the likes of Yaya Toure and Bernardo Silva on the bench – such is their bench-strength. Apart from Gabriel Jesus and Aguero, they have Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne to save the day from a situation of despair.
#1 Most in-form teams in Europe
Early season form may not be the best indicator of how a team would end up by the time the season concludes. However, it does put one into a place of perspective, where they can evaluate the teams and make an inference.
At this point in time, both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are the most in-form team in Europe. Don’t believe me? Well, the stats might change your thought process. In 16 games in the league this season, PSG have 41 points at an average of 2.56 points-per-game while Manchester City have 43 points from 15 games at an average of 2.86 points-per-game.
Compare that to Bayern Munich’s 2.28 points-per-game and the Bavarians fall short. Meanwhile, both Barcelona and Inter Milan equal PSG’s 2.6 points-per-game average, but both the Catalans and the Nerazzurri haven’t fared as well as the Parisiens in the Champions League.
This brings us to the conclusion that with all things considered, the final of the Champions League of this season will, indeed, be contested between Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.