#1 Real Madrid
Traditionally, every team who has won the Champions League has struggled the following season and therefore no team has ever retained the title. However, if there was ever a team who have the ability and are in the position to do it, then it has to be Real Madrid this year.
Also Read: 5 reasons why Real Madrid will become the first team to retain the Champions League
Los Blancos are having a great season as they have their noses in front in the La Liga title race and their manager Zinedine Zidane has used his vast squad to great effect to balance the league and the Champions League, such that the capital club lasts the distance on both fronts.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s evolution into a centre-forward this year has definitely prolonged his career at the top and has helped Madrid as well with Karim Benzema misfiring and Alvaro Morata yet to stake a permanent claim for a starting berth. The rest of the team have contributed as well with their captain Sergio Ramos in imperious goalscoring form, having scored important goals throughout the season.
In the Champions League, Real Madrid finished second to Borussia Dortmund in the group stage and then dug deep to see off Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli in the round of 16. They faced their favourite European rivals Bayern Munich next. Led by five goals from Ronaldo over two legs, the Blancos reached the semi-finals, where they are set to face fellow Madrid team Atletico for a spot in the final.
Real have come out on top the last two times these two teams met in the competition - the Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016. As a result, they definitely have the psychological edge and should consider themselves favourites to reach the final.
In the final, the match-winners in Zidane’s squad in the form of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Isco are a handful for either Juventus or Monaco. Further, given that this squad knows how to get it done, Real Madrid are hands down the favourites to win a record 12th crown in the top competition in Europe.
