Last season marked a seismic shift in European football as UEFA introduced the new Swiss-style league format to the Champions League. Replacing the traditional group stage, the revamped structure brought fresh matchups, increased unpredictability, and a broader showcase of elite talent across the continent. While the change sparked initial skepticism, fans quickly warmed to the format, with many praising the diversity of fixtures and heightened drama throughout the competition.
The inaugural campaign under this new system didn’t disappoint. Paris Saint-Germain wrote the biggest page in the club’s history, winning their maiden title in stunning fashion, dispatching top contenders en route to completing the famous treble. The league phase captured headlines as well, with the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and the eventual winners themselves, PSG, being at risk of not making it out of the first phase.
Now, as anticipation builds for the second season under the new format, the stakes are even higher. With 36 teams in one giant league table and only 8 guaranteed spots in the Round of 16, every match matters — and every draw carries weight.
Let’s dive into what awaits the 10 most followed teams in the Sofascore app as they prepare to navigate the unpredictable waters of the Champions League’s new format.
#10 – Atlético Madrid
The team that we’ve become used to seeing among the European elite since the arrival of Diego Simeone didn’t quite have a memorable last season, domestically nor internationally.
The two-times finalists (2014 and 2016, both under Simeone) were knocked out in the Round of 16 by their worst nightmare, the team that beat them in both of those finals, Real Madrid. It was an intriguing tie that went all the way to penalties, and was decided by one of the most controversial decisions in the competition’s recent history – referee Szymon Marciniak disallowed what looked, at first glance at least, like a valid penalty from Julian Álvarez due to a double touch.
The apetites are growing and the squad has been re-shaped as Atléti are preparing for another hunt for glory. Here’s how the first eight steps will look for them:
#9 – Inter Milan
Next up, a team that will face Atlético Madrid in the league phase. It was a season that was shaping up nicely for I Nerazzurri, but it all came falling apart towards the end. A Coppa Italia loss against AC Milan, a series of slip-ups in Serie A that resulted with Napoli winning another Scudetto, it all culminated in the worst possible fashion in the grand Champions League final in Munich.
Their 5-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain was nothing short of humiliating, and they’ll look to make amends as soon as possible. This is how that journey will start:
#8 – Bayern München
Next up is a team that fell victim to Inter in their last season’s final run, and a side whose European pedigree simply cannot be satisfied with a quarterfinal exit. Bayern had high hopes of reaching the final, played at their stadium, and Vincent Kompany set up an attacking machine that kicked off their UCL campaign by putting nine goals past Dinamo Zagreb.
The attack worked fine, but the defence proved to be a bit too leaky at the crucial moments, so the Bavarians had to be satisfied with the return of the Bundesliga title to their hands after a short adventure at Leverkusen.
They did well to reach the semis in 2023/24, only to get knocked out by Real Madrid in dramatic fashion. They’ll certainly want to repeat that success and even top it, and these are the obstacles they’ll have to overcome in the first phase:
#7 – Paris Saint-Germain
As mentioned in the introduction of this very article, Les Parisiens’ last season was dream stuff. After years and years of investments and money spent on transfers of the world’s biggest stars, the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé… it all came along for PSG once they switched the script.
A team, rather than a group of individuals. That was the thought that guided Luis Enrique in creating such a well-organized machinery that simply outworked, outsmarted and, at the end of the day, outclassed every opponent on its way.
And when a team is so well crafted, it’s destined to have individuals that stand out. In PSG, there were many: from Vitinha and Joao Neves controlling the proceedings in midfield to Dembélé and Doué wreaking havoc up front, it’s hard to deny that they were the world’s best team last season. Now, having shown everyone what they’re capable of, they’ll look to repeat it by any means. Here’s who they have to beat this year in order to do it:
#6 – Chelsea FC
Well… we said it’s hard to deny that PSG were the world’s best team last season, but if anyone can have an objection to that statement, it’s Chelsea. The official holder of the ‘Club World Champions‘ title.
Quite a way to win it, too, picking apart PSG in the grand final in New York and coring three to seal the deal before half-time. To their collection, they’ve also added the UEFA Conference League, thus winning every international competition they’ve ever participated in, becoming the first club to have the complete collection.
Now, they’ll feel hungry for more. With a squad that’s seen quite a few of arrivals and departures, but with the core still unchanged, Cole Palmer will have some serious ballers in the supporting roles this season, and they’ll look to take care of business against Europe’s elite. Here’s how that path will look like:
#5 – Arsenal
Dazzling style, a successful re-build, bunch of Academy graduates… it all sounds nice and lovely for the Gunners, but… as long as they remain empty-handed at the end of each season, their stomachs will never be full.
Finishing second in the Premier League for the third consecutive season, this time 10 points adrift of the runaway champions Liverpool, was another display of consistency—but also a reminder of that elusive top prize still slipping through their fingers. In Europe, Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2009 – surpassing Real Madrid with a stunning 5–1 aggregate quarter-final win—only to be ultimately extinguished by PSG.
The foundation is more than solid, a lot of work has been done, but still some left: the summer transfer activity promises a lot, but nothing’s ever guaranteed in the world of football. So, for Arsenal, it was another season of what might have been: near-perfect defense, flair and creativity, elite European progress—but no silverware to show for it. Fans will hope that this polished core learns from its near misses and takes the final step next time.
#4 – Liverpool
The team that took the torch from Jürgen Klopp and continued the legacy of excellence didn’t just win—they conquered. Under Arne Slot‘s first season at the helm, Liverpool rode a wave of brilliance to reclaim the Premier League throne, delivering a powerful statement that chaos and control can coexist in perfect harmony.
After nearly half a decade without a league title, the Reds returned to the summit in emphatic fashion—securing their 20th English top-flight crown with clinical dominance and flair. They amassed an astonishing 26-game unbeaten run, clinched the title with games to spare, and paraded their triumph before adoring fans at Anfield. Slot became one of only a handful of managers to lift the league in his debut campaign, signaling a seamless—and stunning—transition.
On the continental stage, however, Liverpool were undone earlier than they’d have liked. Despite topping the league phase after eight rounds , the Champions League bid was cut short at the Round of 16. It proved to be a rare slip for a side otherwise unstoppable in domestic competition.
So, for Liverpool, the narrative is clear: they’ve not only reclaimed their domestic crown but also set a template for consistency, adaptability, and elite performance. With the foundation firmly laid, the coming season holds the promise of even greater continental ambition.
#3 – Manchester City
The reigning juggernaut of English football found themselves on turbulent ground this season. Pep Guardiola’s City—once untouchable—slipped to a third-place Premier League finish, a stark departure from their era of dominance.
Their European campaign, another disappointment. After having barely made it out of the league phase, they were brushed aside by Real Madrid and flew out of the tournament even before reaching the Round of 16. Marred with absences and injuries, most notably that of Rodri, performance suffered and results followed. Despite the setbacks, however, there were sparks of brilliance. Erling Haaland once again stole the show—31 overall goals made him the club’s sharpest edge and Joško Gvardiol played an ironman role, featuring in 53 of 57 games—an example of consistency amidst chaos.
The summer brought a wind of change to the Etihad, with loads of new arrivals, and some notable departures to, such as those of long-serving club icons like Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne. Everything is trying to be done in order to prevent a slip-up become a trend, and to get their European results back on track, Manchester City will face the following challenges:
#2 – FC Barcelona
Barcelona’s 2024–25 campaign marked a triumphant return to domestic dominance—and a clear message to Europe that the sleeping giant is fully awake again.
Under Hansi Flick, in his first full season at the helm, Barça completed a historic domestic treble: a convincing LaLiga win followed up by triumphs in Copa del Rey and Supercopa de España, both of which came after the sweetest of victories: an El Clásico final.
Barça didn’t only win matches. Their aggressive defensive set-up, an unusually high defensive line which supported it and caught opponents offside time and time again was the foundation of a system that combined flair and technical brilliance with sharp, ruthless execution. In such a setup, the wingers feasted: Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both enjoyed exquisite campaigns and now find themselves in the talk for the Ballon d’Or.
Their Champions League run looked scary as well, they were banging goals for fun. However, the European dream fell just short. In an unforgettable semi-final battle, Barcelona fell to Inter Milan, losing 7–6 on aggregate after extra time in the second leg. It was one of the most dramatic knockout ties in recent memory—cruel for Barça, but a clear sign they once again eat at the table of European royalty. They appetites, however, are not quite tamed yet, and in order to do so, here’s who they’ll have to beat this season:
#1 – Real Madrid
The Galácticos experienced a season of contrasts—a rollercoaster that underscored both glory and fragility. Under Carlo Ancelotti, they lifted two titles: a record-breaking 6th UEFA Super Cup and the inaugural Intercontinental Cup, cementing Ancelotti as the most decorated manager in club history.
Yet, domestically, the season ended in frustration. They finished 2nd in La Liga, edged out by a rampant Barcelona, and lost the Copa del Rey final in extra time. It was a painful reversal in both major domestic finals. Their Champions League journey didn’t go much better either, being halted in the quarter-finals thanks to a 5–1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal laying bare the structural cracks within the side.
A new architect seems to be what’s needed to fix the structure, and Xabi Alonso has been trusted with the task, his appointment heralding a shift in the direction the club is set to take. On the pitch, at least. A start that looked solid was abruptly stopped by PSG’s 4-0 win in the Club World Cup semifinal, a reminder that the process of rebuilding a football team is a complex task that requires time and patience from everyone involved.
Time, however, is not a luxury many Real Madrid managers have had throughout the years. Los Reyes de Europa, Kings of Europe, they didn’t earn that nickname for nothing. Honoring it is the ultimate task of every player and manager representing Europe’s biggest football club. To be able to truly do it, first, Real Madrid will have to get past the following obstacles:
Conclusion
If last season is anything to go by, the league phase guarantees fun and chaos. The magic of the draw has done its part, pairing Europe’s biggest in some mouth-watering clashes throughout the season. Now, all that’s left is to wait and enjoy!