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The UEFA Champions League resumes this weekend after an extended break courtesy the COVID-19 pandemic. Some mouth-watering ties await us and it promises to be an enthralling prospect for football fans around the globe.
Of course, it will be a different kind of Champions League football. All ties will be one-legged, which increases the importance of each moment of action. Moreover, the lack of fans would be a factor to consider as well.
Regardless, what the fans are assured of is a high-quality brand of football involving Europe's best teams. Some players who reigned supreme in domestic football like Kevin de Bruyne, Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would look forward to carrying that momentum into the Champions League.
However, there are also a number of players who did not have the best of league campaigns. Much was expected of these big names who failed to deliver for one reason or the other. For those players, the remainder of the Champions League provides them with a dream opportunity to transform their season from a below-par experience to a memorable one.
Let's have a look at 5 such players.
#5 Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Bernardo Silva had an incredible 2018-19 season where he played a huge role in Manchester City sweeping all the domestic titles. Naturally, everyone expected him to continue in that same vein, if not better that performance. That, unfortunately, has not quite happened as Silva's standards dipped this season.
The Portuguese didn't have a 'bad' season by any means, as 6 goals and 7 assists in 34 matches isn't anywhere close to terrible. But for a player of his caliber, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in his position, it is a tad bit underwhelming.
He is one of City's many stars when it comes to attacking options, and his teammates and coaches pin a lot of hopes on him to create chances and score goals. He has a great chance to do well in the Champions League and turn his individual season around.
#4 Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona)
Similar to Bernardo Silva, Antoine Griezmann flattered to deceive despite not being 'poor' when it comes to his overall level of play. The French World Cup winner arrived at Barcelona from Atletico Madrid for a massive price tag and he was expected to thrive alongside Messi and Suarez.
Sadly, things have not gone as planned. Barcelona have found it difficult to accommodate Griezmann in their attack. Even when he has started up front, he has often failed to get involved as much as one would expect from someone who cost north of £100 million.
He has 9 goals and 4 assists in La Liga this season, which is far from his average numbers. If he intends to win the Catalans over, the Champions League would be a great stage to do so.
#3 Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)
Bought with the intention to replace the outgoing Griezmann in the long run, Joao Felix himself carried the burden of a humongous price tag throughout the 2019-20 league season and will be looking forward to the Champions League.
The young Portuguese forward, considered a generational talent by many, is only 20-years-old. Understandably, he has taken a good while to adjust to the more physical La Liga, arriving from the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Felix has a paltry 6 goals and 1 assist in 27 league games. Those statistics are difficult to defend even after considering Atletico Madrid's defensive approach . After all, he is the reigning Golden Ball winner, which is the most prestigious individual award for young players in Europe. It is not wrong to expect big things from him, even at the tender age of 20. He will look to prove those credentials in the Champions League.
Atletico Madrid will fancy their chances in this season's Champions League, and they will need Felix to play to the best of his extent in order to do so.
#2 Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
As long as statistics are concerned, 33-year-old Luis Suarez cannot be faulted whatsoever. Having said that, the Uruguayan striker's 16 goals and 8 assists in 28 matches could well be perceived as inflated, or 'empty'.
Suarez, one of the best players in the last decade, has often looked lost in a Barcelona attack heavily reliant on Lionel Messi. Very often, Luis Suarez hasn't managed to bag a goal in clutch situations.
His impotency in big games, including three matches against the two Madrid giants, ultimately proved fatal to Barcelona's chances of yet another league title. This is something he will aim to rectify in the Champions League.
The Blaugrana know better than any one else that their heavy reliance on Messi might win them single matches, but won't win them the Champions League altogether.
Suarez will need to step up to the high standards he has set for himself as a result of incredible performances in the past if he and his club are to win the Champions League.
#1 Eden Hazard (Real Madrid)
Yet another player who cost over £100 million but has failed to live up to the price tag so far, Eden Hazard concludes this list of 5 terrific footballers. The Belgian struggled with injury for a large part of the season. Even his fitness came under scrutiny at one point.
The fact that Real Madrid didn't even require his services to that extent in their victorious La Liga season only makes their title win that extra bit sweeter. However, already down 1-2 to a strong Manchester City side in the Champions League, they will require Hazard to play at his top-most level to boost their chances of a comeback win.
Hazard only scored 1 goal in the entire La Liga season in 16 appearances. Aged 29, and supposedly at the peak of his powers, Hazard has to respond soon to his critics. Los Blancos will hope he begins his redemption against Manchester City in the Champions League itself.
