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It is time to talk about football. What do you associate with the phrases? "Can they do it at Anfield on a Tuesday night?", "When you hear the anthem, you get goosebumps". Yes, we are talking about the UEFA Champions League. September marks the start of the most prestigious competition in club football. With its new format, there are no more normal group stages. In this revised format, the top European teams are already facing each other before the knockout stages start. But who will come out on top and be crowned Champions League winners in 2024/25? Get ready to learn about the 5 favorites to win it all and take a look at some stunning images.
Top Favorites
Bayern Munich
1. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are Germany's record champions and the country's most successful team in international competitions. They always want to win the Champions League, especially this year with the final in their own backyard at the Allianz Arena. As they do every year, they have one of the best squads in the competition. New signings Joao Palhinha and Michael Olise have been brought in from the Premier League. With their new coach Vincent Kompany, Bayern will be an interesting team to watch.
IMAGO / Camera 4 | London Wembley Stadion FC Bayern München.
2. Arsenal FC
The "Gunners" are on the hunt. One of the best teams in the Premier League is still waiting for the first Champions League title in the club's history. In the last two seasons under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal has been on the rise both domestically and internationally. After losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of last year's competition,the club has been able to build an improved squad around their key players Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Martin Ødegaard Arsenal have a real chance of winning the Champions League for the first time.
IMAGO / Xinhua / Li Ying | Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring the third goal during the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United.
3. Liverpool FC
From Jürgen Klopp to Arne Slot. The German coaching legend guided Liverpool to a top-four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification. Despite Klopp's departure, the "Reds" has managed to keep key players such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson.. A mixture of experienced players and young talent will be Liverpool's way of challenging for the title. Their biggest advantage is probably their stadium. Anfield Road is one of the most feared stadiums in the world and every game has a special, electric atmosphere. One of the most famous Champions League nights was the semi-final against Barcelona. Liverpool lost the first leg 3-0 in Barcelona but came back to win 4-0 at Anfield to book their ticket to the final. It was one of the greatest matches of the last decade. With that kind of "Anfield magic", Liverpool is guaranteed to have a chance of going all the way.
IMAGO / AFLOSPORT | Liverpool players celebrate their Victory after winning the UEFA Champions League final match 2004-2005 season between Liverpool and AC Milan on May 25, 2005 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
4. Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues have the second-best squad in the UCL. The squad is valued at around €1.2 billion, which is also the second highest in the competition. Entering the competition with superstars like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and EURO 2024 winner and MVP Rodri is a very good reason why Manchester City could go all the way once again. Pep Guardiola’s Citizens play some of the best football in the world and have dominated English and European football for years. The team that wants to win the title has to beat City, otherwise it will be impossible to win this competition. For the past four years, the winning Champions League team has either been or faced the "Sky Blues".
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire / Mohammad Javad Abjoushak | Manchester City players celebrate their victory after the UEFA Champions League final match between Manchester City and Inter at Ataturk Olympic Stadium.
5. Real Madrid
"Los Blancos", the kings of the UEFA Champions League, the club that cannot be ignored, Real Madrid. They are the record champions of the competition and nobody else has come close. Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo or Vini Jr are just four of the players in this stacked ensemble of superstars. Real Madrid are the crème de la crème of world football, they have the most valuable squad in the world and they are the reigning UCL champions. There are not enough words to describe the kind of team Carlo Ancelotti has in his hands. Real Madrid are favorites to win the title because they have the depth and quality in their squad to be a constant threat to any opponent. Their biggest advantage is that their entire squad is of world-class quality, so it doesn't matter who they bring on or take off, the quality of the game doesn't change, which is unique in world football.
IMAGO / Matthias Koch | Champions League Final , Borussia Dortmund Real Madrid, Winner photo
Madrid, Nacho Fernandez Real Madrid with trophy, 01 06 2024.
These teams are the overwhelming favorites to win the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. But they will have to show how good they really are in the new group stage format, where they will face other top teams and not necessarily have a home advantage. At IMAGO, we bring you stunning images of the Champions League campaign directly from the pitch, covered live by our partner photographers. Click on the button below to view the latest Champions League event collections.
