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It's been an interesting year for football lovers all over the world. Following the conclusion of last season, international football took centre stage and delivered huge entertainment in spades. Just after the transfer window, the new campaign also kicked-off across Europe's top five leagues to keep us glued to our TV screens.
The UEFA Champions League for the 2019/20 season has begun in earnest and a lot of teams have been treating us to good football. Likewise, some other teams have failed to impress thus far.
We are going to take a look at five teams who can mount a serious challenge to lift this season's UEFA Champions League below.
#5 Barcelona
Don’t be deceived by the slow start to Barcelona's term both in the league and in Europe. The only trophy that is appealing to Lionel Messi and his cohorts is the UEFA Champions League.
Still nursing the wounds of their capitulation last time out, the only way for manager Ernesto Valverde to earn the admiration and forgiveness of the Camp Nou faithful is to deliver the UEFA Champions League trophy to the Blaugrana.
No one knows this more than Valverde himself and he would do all in his capability to return the club to the summit of European football and secure a fantastic legacy for himself at the club. The players too are just as motivated to make up for their recent debacles on the continental stage.
Messi and Co. may appear to be stumbling and standing in the league but they'd offer their all and fight to the very end evey time to show up in Europe. Besides, what other team has a better shot at the title than one with a determined Lionel Messi in it?
#4 Manchester City
Despite the fact that the Cityzens were knocked out of the tournament at the quarter-final phase last time out, they still had a very good season, winning the domestic double. The fact that they got to the last eight stage of the tournament for the last two seasons will be a platform to build on and push towards the trophy.
They have had a bright start to the new campaign, barring the unexpected defeat to Norwich City. The attackers are all in fine form, the defenders are not slowing down and the midfield has enough steel. This team has what it takes to go all the way. Injuries could be an issue but Pep Guardiola is the kind of manager who can sidestep such issues with effective rotation.
Although they haven't won it before, they have a manager who has tasted European success in the past. With Pep Guardiola having already won all there is in England, his desire would be to win the UEFA Champions League. Given the calibre of players at his disposal and the current form of the team, he has a squad capable of conquering Europe.
#3 Liverpool
Last season’s champions and the scourge of Barcelona and Lionel Messi in particular, this might be the season they repeat the feat of Real Madrid and win back-to-back titles. The Merseysiders are in a very good form at the moment, recording victory upon victory - domestically and abroad.
The Reds had an outstanding season last time out, the peak of which was the slaying of mighty Barcelona at Anfield. This season, they seem to have picked up right where the left off.
The current form of the team sees them sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League table, boasting a 100% record. An exciting 4-3 victory against Red Bull Salzburg the last time out has helped forget about the loss to Napoli on the opening matchday. It should not come as a surprise if they wind up in the hunt for the trophy once again.
Jurgen Klopp's men are not slowing down at all. The fans continue to create a fantastic atmosphere for the players as they hunt down more silverware this season.
#2 Juventus
The Turin-based club has been pushing for the UEFA Champions League for a while now. Juventus even defied the odds in the 2016/17 season by defeating a hot Barcelona side in the quarter-final before beating a scintillating Monaco, only to be humbled by Real Madrid in the final.
That defeat, inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo then at Real Madrid, played its part in influencing the Old Lady to go all-out to sign the Portuguese attacker when the opportunity arose last season.
However, they fell to a spirited Ajax side in the quarter-final last time out. With the grit of Cristiano Ronaldo and the addition of the likes of Adrien Rabiot, Matthijs de Ligt and the resurgence of existing players like Paolo Dybala and Douglas Costa, this might be the season they'd return the prestigious trophy to Italy.
#1 Bayern Munich
Last time out, this team ran berserk in England, subjecting Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-7 routing in front of their own fans at White Hart Lane. If this kind of form contnues, a lot of teams will not wish to face the Bavarians in the UEFA Champions League this season.
They've had good showings in the tournament in seasons past, although the glory continues to elude them since Arjen Robben nudged the ball over the line in Wembley against Borussia Dortmund. However, they now look like real contenders for the prestigious trophy and it's time rival clubs start taking them seriously in Europe.
The German outfit currently sits at the top of the Bundesliga table with 14 points from six games and they've recorded big victories in their two UEFA Champions League games so far - a 3-0 battering of Crzvena Zvezda and the decimation of Spurs in North London.
Having a very in-form Lewandowski, a rejuvenated Coutinho and a hot Serge Gnabry in their ranks should be enough fire to spark their hunt for glory in Europe this season. What is more? The team is playing with all the anger of a wounded lion at present, and if this continues, the Champions League trophy will remain theirs to lose.
