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#3 Juventus
Juventus' record in the Champions League permits them to make a case for being the unluckiest side in the competition's history. Despite being crowned winners twice (in 1985 and 1996), they hold the record for losing the final on the most number of occasions. The Bianconeri have reached the final of the Champions League nine times and lost on seven occasions, most recently in 2017.
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The Italian club, who have won the domestic title a record 36 times, have tried everything to break the Champions League jinx. Ahead of the 2018-19 season, they even signed five-time Champions League winner Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid. However, Juventus did not manage to get past the quarter-finals that year.
After being knocked out in the Round of 16 in consecutive years under Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo, Juventus have decided to hire Massimiliano Allegri once again. Reclaiming the Scudetto in the 2021-22 season is a high priority for the Juventus board. However, with Ronaldo's contract set to expire in 2022, the Italian side will push hard for the Champions League trophy too.
Allegri led Juventus to two Champions League finals in three years, in 2015 and 2017. Ahead of the 2021-22 edition, the Italian manager will hope to bring the coveted trophy to Italy for the first time since 2010, when Jose Mourinho won the treble with Inter Milan.
#2 Manchester City
Since Pep Guardiola's arrival, Manchester City have dominated the Premier League. The Citizens have won the title in three of the last four years, along with several domestic cup competitions too. However, they have struggled at the continental stage.
Manchester City reached the Champions League final for the first time in their history in 2021. Prior to this, they had been knocked out by the likes of Lyon, Monaco, Liverpool and Tottenham in the earlier rounds. This season, however, continental glory will be high on Pep Guardiola's list - something which he has failed to achieve since 2011.
The arrival of Jack Grealish for a record British transfer fee from Aston Villa could soon be followed by the acquisition of Harry Kane from Tottenham. The Manchester City hierarchy have acquired every target that Guardiola has asked for, and the onus will be on him to deliver this season.
Boasting one of the best squads in Europe currently, the Spanish manager will be under pressure to win the Champions League in 2021-22.
#1 Paris Saint-Germain
Ever since Qatar Sports Investments took over PSG in 2011, the club's rise has been rapid. Prior to their acquisition, the Ligue 1 giants were in a difficult situation. Following a fresh inflow of cash, however, PSG quickly returned to the top and have dominated Ligue 1 in recent seasons.
Although they are not the most successful French club in history, this could soon change should recent trends continue.
The new owners have managed to put together a star-studded team. The goal in mind, of course, is to win the Champions League. Thomas Tuchel led them to their first ever final in 2019-20, but they lost out to Bayern Munich by a 1-0 scoreline.
They failed to replicate this in 2020-21, as they crashed out in the semi-finals against Manchester City. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, Mauricio Pochettino will be under insurmountable pressure to deliver the trophy as they have signed Lionel Messi.
The Argentine's move to PSG from Barcelona has shaken the world. Over the years, PSG have pulled off some ambitious moves, acquiring Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. However, signing one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport surely tops the list. It also goes without saying that the owners expect the Champions League trophy to be in the cabinet by the end of the season.
PSG have also completed the signings of Sergio Ramos and Georgino Wijnaldum, who are both Champions League winners. Gianluigi Donnarumma, who won the Player of the Tournament at the Euros, has also been brought in.
Inter's Achraf Hakimi, who was an integral part of their title-winning squad, is another excellent acquisition by PSG this summer. Additionally, they have a pretty solid team to begin with - Neymar, Mbappe, Marco Verratti and Marquinhos are some of the best players in the world in their positions.
All in all, PSG arguably have the best squad in Europe currently. Mauricio Pochettino, who led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019, will be under immense pressure to win the competition in 2021-22.
Failure to do so could cost the Argentine manager his job, as the PSG board have made it clear that they will stop at nothing to win the Champions League.
