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One down, five to go. The Champions League returned with a bang this week as Dinamo Zagreb, Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk stunned their rivals to earn big wins on Matchday 1. Tuesday’s action was highlighted by PSG beating Juventus, while Wednesday has everybody wondering if Liverpool are facing a crisis after their loss at Napoli.
Here is who we view as the runners and riders to win it all in Istanbul in June:
The top tier: Title or bust
These teams should be disappointed with anything less than a semi final berth and frankly even that might not be enough, such is their talent profile.
1. Manchester City (–)
Pep Guardiola’s side continue to make the poetic appear prosaic, swatting aside Sevilla in Andalusia with an ease even the best clubs tend only to reserve for minnows in the early rounds of the FA Cup. Erling Haaland continues to earn the headlines but Phil Foden continues to thrive away from the spotlight. At just 22 years of age, he has reached double figures goals in the Champions League, and two more and he will overtake Michael Owen. One day he may just beat Wayne Rooney’s record of 30.
2. Bayern Munich (–)
Their Bundesliga wobble was set to one side in an assertive win away at Inter Milan, a performance worthy of a European champion in waiting. Registering 21 shots whilst allowing a dangerous opponent just nine, Julian Nagelsmann’s side totally dictated the tempo of the contest without ever looking like they needed to get out of third gear. They will eventually — and there is sometimes a sense this team is too comfortable coasting — but if they do, Europe beware.
3. Real Madrid (+1)
4. Liverpool (-1)
I would rather be the last to cash in my Liverpool stocks than join in the rush to disregard a team who have consistently reached the summit of European football in recent years. But it would be wrong to suggest that that uphill climb hasn’t taken something out of Jurgen…
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Source : cbssports
