The conversation around town for football prediction gurus when discussing the UEFA Champions League and its favored clubs to win the title generally revolves around the same squads year in and year out. On the one hand, there are the French giants PSG, who, after signing Messi, Ramos, and Wijnaldum, all senior players with plenty of UCL championship-winning experience, are hopeful that this year will be the year they finally win it all. On the other hand, you have defending champions Chelsea, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, who are all regular favorites to win it all due to their overwhelming dominance in every game. But what about the teams we may not be paying as much attention to?
The UCL tournament is generally one where favoritism can only lead a team so far, and while owning the label of “favorites” may carry a lot of weight on paper, shocks and upsets are always possible. With that stated, here are our choices for our two favorite sleeper teams, both of which have the potential to surprise fans and pundits alike with a deep UCL run this season.
Atlético de Madrid
When it comes to the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish “La Liga” champions are once again in a position of strength and uncertainty. For years, Diego Simeone's squad has been a consistent presence in the last rounds of UCL tournaments, with heartbreak eventually catching up with them before any big victories are gained. This year, though, the emotions around Madrid's other football team are greater than ever.
With the additions of French goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte as a backup to star saver Jan Oblak, Argentinian midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, and Brazilian attacker Matheus Cunha, the squad appeared to be moving in the right way for “El Cholo.” But it wasn't until one of the biggest surprises of the summer transfer market occurred, which occurred on the market's deadline, when Antoine Griezmann, a former Atletico de Madrid star who left Madrid to play for Barcelona, returned to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to try and relive the best moments of his career, donning the Atletico jersey once again.
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This instantly increased Atlético de Madrid's odds not just in the Spanish championship race but also in the UCL favorites lists, especially when considering what an offensive combo of Luis Suarez and Griezmann might accomplish if in top form. If Atletico de Madrid can put this team together in the greatest way possible, finding a method to combine Simeone's ultra-defensive tactics with the team's newly acquired offensive abilities, Not only will they wind up stealing one of the qualifying slots in their tough group, which includes Portuguese side Porto, Italian giants AC Milan, and English titans Liverpool, but this squad may end up becoming a major danger down the road once title dreams come into play.
Manchester United
GDANSK, POLAND – MAY 26: Manchester United's Paul Pogba competes for a header during the UEFA Europa League Final between Villarreal CF and Manchester United on May 26, 2021 at Gdansk Arena in Gdansk, Poland. (Image courtesy of Boris Streubel – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.) )
PSG supporters were expecting that Messi's homecoming in Paris would have the same impact as CR7's return to Manchester, but they were in for a surprise. While Messi is still struggling to rediscover his form in France, CR7 returned to Manchester United swinging and going at all speeds, instantly putting United a threat to any side standing in their way. Ronaldo appears to have not missed a beat and is ready to lead United back to the title-adorned promised land that the squad has been lacking for what feels like an age.
Add to it the impact that arrivals like as French defender Raphael Varane and English youth star forward Jadon Sancho have had on the squad, and you can understand why the frenzy surrounding United is genuine. Manchester United were able to assemble a team that not only appears to be as fit as ever to reclaim the EPL championship, but also to remind everyone why the UCL competition need clubs like theirs to be in top contending form. While their campaign began with a defeat in Switzerland against Young Boys, CR7 and United should be able to recover quickly. seize leadership of the group and advance to the knockout stages, where no team will want to meet them face to face.
