'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Signing Lionel Messi, arguably the best player in the game, on a free transfer has made PSG the team to beat in Europe.
Add to that the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi, apart from Lionel Messi, to play in a side that already has Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Marco Verratti and Marquinhos, PSG are arguably the best team in the continent.
Considering their expensively assembled star cast, PSG are huge favourites to win the Champions League this season. Mauricio Pochettino's side are already overwhelming favourites to win the league title. But having aimed for success in the Champions League for a long time, the club has the best chance to do so this campaign.
Nevertheless, there are a few teams that could beat PSG in the Champions League this season. Here's a look at five of them:
#5 Atletico Madrid
With both Real Madrid and Barcelona not in great shape this season, Atletico Madrid stand a good chance of replicating their league success of the last campaign.
Atletico Madrid's pedigree in the Champions League under Diego Simeone is well known. The Argentine has led his side to two Champions League finals, and has won two Europa League trophies with the club.
Simeone will be hoping for better performances in Europe's premier club competition. Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League last season by eventual winners Chelsea. But the addition of Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul could help them a lot this season, especially against teams like PSG who have a potent midfield and attack at their disposal.
#4 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich's stability over the years has been noted by one and all. They do not spend extravagant money on a regular basis, but still manage to do well both domestically and in the Champions League.
The Bundesliga giants, who won the continental treble in 2020, were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG last season. This time, they have a new manager - Julian Nagelsmann - who is renowned for his tactical versatility, which could see Bayern turn the tables on PSG should they meet again this campaign.
Bayern Munich have Robert Lewandowski, one of the hottest strikers in the game at the moment, who could wreak havoc against a new-look PSG defence. They also have quality in other areas of the field that could spell trouble for the Ligue 1 giants.
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#3 Liverpool
Liverpool are another team that could beat PSG this season. They have made just one major acquisition this summer, adding French centre-back Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig, though.
The Reds won the Champions League in 2019, thanks to some stellar performances from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Virgil van Dijk and Roberto Firmino. The quartet's performances will once again determine how Liverpool's 2021-22 campaign pans out.
Jurgen Klopp is excellent tactically, and is regarded as one of the best managers in the game. But the German will have to be at his very best to beat PSG, who have a fearsome strikeforce of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
#2 Chelsea
Chelsea have arguably the best squad in the Premier League after the signing of Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku has returned to Chelsea after two world-class seasons with Inter Milan, doing so on a £103.5-million transfer. The Belgian is one of the best strikers in the game at the moment, and guarantees goals for Chelsea. A prolific goalscorer was something Chelsea missed last season, and Lukaku has been signed to address that.
Despite not having a regular goalscorer, Chelsea managed to win the Champions League last season. Thomas Tuchel is one of the best in the business, and enjoyed a full preseason with the team's players. They are among the favourites to win the Premier League this season, and have the team to beat a star-studded PSG outfit.
#1 Manchester City
Manchester City have thrived under Pep Guardiola, winning three league titles in the last four years and reaching their maiden Champions League final last campaign after downing PSG in the semis. City, though, were beaten by Chelsea in the final.
But they have added to their ranks this summer. City have signed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, and are eyeing Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane. A prolific no. 9 would solve Manchester City's striking woes, particularly against a team like PSG, who have a fearsome attack but a suspect defence.
Many regard Guardiola's team as the best in Europe, with City looking to conquer the Champions League this season.
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