Premier League vs Champions League: Which is the bigger trophy? | OneFootball

This season, it’s been a two-horse race for the Premier League title. Manchester City have led for a long time, but an exceptional run of form has allowed Liverpool to pile the pressure on the Cityzens.

Both sides held ambitions of pulling off something really special this campaign. However, the last week has put a huge dent in their hopes.

Firstly, Man City let their two-goal lead slip in injury time against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. Then, Liverpool dropped points at home to Tottenham Hotspur, seriously damaging their chances of winning the quadruple.

Nonetheless, both clubs are on course for magnificent seasons. The Reds have already won the Carabao Cup and are looking to add the FA Cup and Champions League this month, while Pep Guardiola’s men are in pole position for a fourth league title in five years.

This has sparked an interesting debate. City have won everything domestically on multiple occasions, but are yet to win a Champions League. Meanwhile, Liverpool are one of the most successful teams on the European stage, but have won just one Premier League title – and their fans weren’t there to see it.

Would City swap their league position to be in the Champions League final? Would Liverpool also take that trade?

This debate goes beyond Man City and Liverpool. Perhaps this question would be better pitched to a Chelsea fan, who would have seen their club win both trophies twice in the last 11 seasons.

But which is the better trophy? Which would clubs rather win?

Which is harder to win?

The Premier League is contested between 20 English clubs, most of which aren’t realistic contenders for the title. The Champions League is fought amongst some of Europe’s finest, with several of them aiming for glory. Surely this makes it harder to win?

Well, not exactly. The format of the Champions League makes it arguably easier. In knockout tournaments, luck plays a huge part. One moment of quality, one fortunate bounce, one mistake, one refereeing decision – these things can be the difference between winning the entire competition and exiting in the round of 16.

Take Real Madrid as an example. They will be in this year’s final. However, had Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marquinhos not gifted them goals, Los Blancos would have gone out to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

Similarly, Man City would be in the final had Jack Grealish not seen his late effort cleared off the line by Ferland Mendy. It was a matter of inches between missing out and potentially lifting the trophy.

Of course, these things also exist in league football. When these two were competing for the league in 2018/19, John Stones made a goal line clearance which prevented Liverpool from taking the lead at the Etihad Stadium. The Cityzens won that match, and eventually won the title by one point. Had the ball been a few inches further, the Reds may well have won the title.

Although, when the two clashed at Anfield earlier that year, Riyad Mahrez had a glorious chance to take all three points, but blazed his penalty over the bar late on. Generally, moments of luck tend to even themselves out over the course of the season.

In a 38-game campaign, you can’t fluke your way to results every week – it simply isn’t sustainable. You need to be putting in consistently good performances.

Over the course of a league season, the best team will end up with the prize. The same isn’t necessarily true with the Champions League.

Which is more prestigious?

In terms of worldwide recognition, there is little doubt that the Champions League carries more weight.

As Jamie Carragher pointed out on Sky Sports, several teams win a league title every season. Only one can get their hands on the Champions League.

From 2013/14 through to 2017/18, Barcelona won three La Liga titles to Real Madrid’s one. However, the latter are held in higher regard because they were victorious in Europe on four occasions, while the former won it just once.

For many, Man City cannot be considered part of Europe’s elite until they win something internationally.

In general, the European champions are better remembered. However, there are still exceptions to the rule.

Jose Mourinho spent six seasons at Chelsea didn’t win the Champions League, while Roberto Di Matteo lifted it during his eight-month spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. And yet, no one would rate the Italian higher than the Portuguese.

On a similar note, Zinedine Zidane took two-and-a-half years to surpass what Sir Alex Ferguson did in 26 years at Manchester United on the continental stage, but the latter is still widely considered to be the far superior of the two.

Which is better for the fans?

The answer may vary from person to person, but most supporters would probably prefer to see their team win the Champions League.

This time, the knockout format of the Champions League helps its case. Generally, knockout competitions are far more dramatic, and give us more big moments.

The stakes are extremely high in every single match of a knockout tournament. The players and fans know that they could go out at any moment. There isn’t the same level of jeopardy in the league.

In addition, a league title can be won with several games to spare. A team can be comfortably clear at the top of the table by January, and the rest of the season would effectively be a formality. Whereas in a knockout competition, it’s not won until the final whistle.

Of course, there are exceptions. Man City themselves know all about decisive moments in the league. But usually, it’s the knockouts that give us the real highs and lows of football.

A league may take more skill to win, but the Champions League would likely give you more of the memories that last a lifetime.