It's back! Every team assessed ahead of Champions League return 🏆 | OneFootball

The Champions League is finally back!

After over four months, European football’s elite competition returns on Friday evening.

With 12 teams still hoping to lift the big-eared trophy in Lisbon this month, here’s the lowdown on every last one of them.

Atalanta

Why they could win it

Atalanta have Europe’s most exciting attack and have been in blistering form in Serie A since the restart. Already in the quarter-finals, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men play quickly, they press relentlessly, and they can beat anyone on their day.

What could stop them?

The absence of Josip Iličić, who will be back home in Slovenia for personal reasons, is a huge loss. The 32-year-old has 21 goals and five assists this season, netting five times in the Champions League alone.

The key players

Creative midfielder Papu Gómez is the fulcrum, linking play superbly tucked in behind the front two. His 16 assists this season is the most in Serie A. Left wing-back Robin Gosens is integral to the team and top scorer Duván Zapata will have to carry the load in the final third.

Atlético Madrid

Why they could win it

They knocked out the current holders, they’re unbeaten since February, and nobody ever wants to face a Diego Simeone side. Their quarter-final is against an RB Leipzig side without Timo Werner.

What could stop them?

Goals. Or a lack of them. Atleti are incredibly hard to score against but they often don’t create enough either. The ability to nab a goal in a tight game will likely determine whether or not they can go all the way this time.

The key players

Their hopes rest on the shoulders of Jan Oblak in goal and all-round midfield star Saúl. Further forward, Álvaro Morata will have to be clinical in front of goal after ending the LaLiga campaign as the club’s top scorer.

Barcelona

Why they could win it

Ever heard of Lionel Messi? Even on a bad day, Barcelona are still capable of beating anyone. And it’s not just Messi, either. Luis Suárez, Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, Riqui Puig, Sergio Busquets and so on. There’s still so much talent, you’d be foolish to write them off.

What could stop them?

Their form and their recent history. Defeats to Roma and Liverpool remain fresh in the memory, as do this season’s LaLiga disappointments against Real Madrid. Barcelona are going to have to play better than they have for a long time to beat Europe’s best to the trophy.

The key players

Messi, of course. His supporting cast has largely let him down this season but Riqui Puig hasn’t and the young midfielder will be crucial if Barcelona are to hold their own. Further back, you’d think Marc-André ter Stegen will have to be at his world class best.

Bayern Munich

Why they could win it

Probably Europe’s best team since Hansi Flick took over midway through the season, Bayern are one of the big favourites heading in. Defensively imperious, dominant in midfield, and they have the world’s most dangerous striker up front in Robert Lewandowski.

What could stop them?

The absence of Benjamin Pavard means Joshua Kimmich will slot in at right-back. Flick will be sad to lose the German from the midfield, where he has played superbly all season. Bayern have also gone an entire month without a competitive match, which could hurt them.

The key players

You’ve got goal machine Lewandowski up front and assist machine Thomas Müller just behind him. The rest of the regulars are impressive too but Alphonso Davies has enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough season and will be hoping for more of the same.

Chelsea

Why they could win it

Honestly? We’re struggling for reasons here. But if one team has ever won the Champions League against the odds while looking out of sorts, it’s Chelsea.

What could stop them?

Not only are Chelsea already three goals down to Bayern, who they play away in a last 16 second leg, but they’re also without Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pedro (all injured) and suspended duo Jorginho and Marcos Alonso.

The key players

Mateo Kovacic will need to run the show in midfield and Olivier Giroud has been in fine form up front lately. Pulisic, if he can get fit and Chelsea can somehow get through, has shone in recent weeks.

Juventus

Why they could win it

Cristiano Ronaldo has more than a little bit of history in this competition. Buoyed by clinching a ninth successive Serie A title, Juve will be determined to end their European drought

What could stop them?

This Juve side dropped 21 points from leading positions in Serie A this season and ended the season with their most goals conceded since 2011. There are clear weaknesses there and Maurizio Sarri hasn’t managed to iron them out over the course of the campaign. Already a goal down to Lyon, they’ve got a way to go to even make Lisbon.

The key players

Paulo Dybala will be crucial going forward, both in terms of goal threat and creativity. Further back, Matthijs de Ligt will need to play his best to help plug holes at the back. And then there’s five-time Champions League winner Ronaldo.

Lyon

Why they could win it

Already a goal ahead as they travel to Juventus, Lyon have Memphis Depay back and looked solid in the Coupe de la Ligue final against PSG last week. They’re full of talent in midfield especially and, in one-off games, you can’t rule them out.

What could stop them?

Of all the clubs involved, Lyon may be the one without any great strength – either defensively or offensively – to lean on. The biggest of underdogs.

The key players

With Memphis only just back from a serious injury the final third onus will largely fall on Moussa Dembélé. Behind him, Houssem Aouar is a gifted midfielder worthy of the biggest of stages and Bruno Guimarães has been excellent in front of the back four.

Manchester City

Why they could win it

No team in Europe scored as many as their 102 league goals in 2019/20 and they’ve already got one foot in the quarter-finals, holding a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola is desperate to get his hands on that big-eared trophy again, especially after missing out on a Premier League title.

What could stop them?

City haven’t looked great in big games this season and the lack of a so-called plan B is a talking point amongst some fans. If they’re stifled, how do they respond?

The key players

The star man Kevin de Bruyne may just be the best player on the planet right now, we know all about him. The defence will lean on Aymeric Laporte; if he’s good, City are good. And Raheem Sterling will be crucial in front of goal.

Napoli

Why they could win it

Why not? Along with Lyon and Leipzig they are the underdogs but that didn’t stop them from claiming the Coppa Italia in May. A more organised side under Gennaro Gattuso, Kalidou Koulibaly is a rock at the back and there’s enough  talent further forward to win them games.

What could stop them?

Simply, a lack of star quality. Some of their key players are the wrong side of 30 and they just don’t have the depth of the other clubs involved.

The key players

As mentioned above, Koulibaly really is the star in defence. Further forward, Dries Mertens and Arkadiusz Milik will be the men expected to find the net.

Paris Saint-Germain

Why they could win it

Have you seen some of the star names? PSG have been priming themselves for a run at the Champions League for years and they may never get a better shot than this, especially with just three one-off games ahead of them rather than some tricky two-legged ties.

What could stop them?

We don’t know yet how bad Kylian Mbappé’s injury actually is and you’d have to doubt their ability to blow sides away without him.

The key players

Well, the dynamic duo that is Kylian Mbappé and Neymar should scare every defender on the planet. Behind them, Marco Verratti may just be the finest all-round midfielder in world football and Marquinhos has become crucial under Thomas Tuchel.

RB Leipzig

Why they could win it

Julian Nagelsmann is the man with a plan. Leipzig can press high, they can dominate the ball, they can go long or they can sit a bit deeper. It’ll all be about picking the right game plan for the right opponent and hoping their top class midfielders shine.

What could stop them?

Top scorer Timo Werner is gone and you wonder where the goals might come from without him.

The key players

Man mountain Dayot Upamecano has become one of the best defenders in Europe and marshals the backline with confidence. Ahead of him, the combined creative juices of Marcel Sabitzer and Christopher Nkunku will be the difference between glory and disappointment.

Real Madrid

Why they could win it?

Because it’s just what they do! The LaLiga title race already looked like Real Madrid in cup mode, getting results over the line by hook or by crook.

What could stop them

A lack of goals could be an issue, with the team relying heavily on penalties and Karim Benzema to win them some of their late LaLiga matches. They’ll need two against City to even have a chance of qualifying.

The key players

Sergio Ramos, who continues to be so important and the man for the big occasion even at the age of 34. Unfortunately for Madrid, he’ll miss the City game. Karim Benzema will need to continue his superb season and Toni Kroos‘ passing ability will be the key if Madrid are to control games.