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#3 Manchester City
Pep Guardiola is considered to be one of the greatest managers in the game's history and rightly so. With eight league titles in three different countries and two Champions League titles (both with Barcelona); his record speaks for itself.
However, there has been an increasing number of people in recent times who have questioned Guardiola's managerial ability as he continues to struggle in the Champions League.
Guardiola hasn't taken a team to the Champions League final since 2011, when he won the competition for the second time with Barcelona. The Spanish tactician's current club Manchester City also face criticism for their failings in the competition even after making a bevvy of expensive player acquisitions since the club's takeover in 2008.
City are yet to make the Champions League semi-finals as they look to make their mark in Europe's biggest club competition. Both club and manager will be extra motivated to prove their doubters wrong and win the competition this year; they have enough talent and experience in their roster to beat the best in business.
#2) Paris Saint-Germain
Paris St. Germain (PSG) have dominated French football for almost a decade now. They reached their first-ever Champions League final last season.
With Brazilian superstar Neymar and French golden boy Kylian Mbappe in their team, PSG have done everything possible to turn their domestic dominance into European supremacy in the last few years. They have hired some of the best managers in the sport and have recruited world-class talent in every department.
Last year, their efforts almost paid off until they ran into German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
PSG started this season's campaign with a loss to Manchester United but bounced back on Matchday 2 with a comfortable win at Istanbul Baseksehir. Neymar will be itching to lead PSG to European glory this season as he looks to win his first Ballon d'Or and show the world that he left Barcelona for all the right reasons.
#1) Bayern Munich
Defending champions Bayern Munich seem to have started their campaign in the 2020-21 Champions League from where they left off last season.
With two wins in as many matchdays this season, the Bavarian giants have now won a record 13 consecutive games in the competition as they look like the team to beat again.
Hansi Flick has transformed Bayern Munich since taking over in November last year; leading the club to their second continental treble after an indifferent start to the season. He has transformed their playing style into one of high pressing, slick passing and lightning-quick pace that has made them almost unbeatable in any competition.
Flick has also overseen the rejuvenation of veteran player Thomas Muller, who has proved key to Bayern Munich's recent success in the competition. Though the club lost Thiago Alcantara in the summer, they have Joshua Kimmich eager to take over as the midfield maestro.
Bayern Munich strengthened their flanks by adding the talented Leroy Sane while also re-signing former player Douglas Costa from Juventus. Bayern have certainly made all the right moves towards winning their seventh Champions League title. If they do so, that will make them the only team after Real Madrid in the Champions League era to successfully defend their title.
