There was a time when the Champions League was always won by a team called Real Madrid. Not anymore.
Even a three or four-goal first-leg cushion isn't enough in this competition. We've seen plenty of shocks in Europe over the years and this season promises to be no different, with any number of a handful of sides capable of lifting ol' Big Ears next summer.
FFT PREDICTS FourFourTwo 2021/22 season preview and predictions
Given that the Champions League is notoriously hard to predict, we thought we'd ask our writers for their input - and sure enough, we got a wide selection of answers on the subject...
Chris Flanagan, (senior staff writer, @CFlanaganFFT): Liverpool
Any of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Liverpool look very well placed to triumph this year, but I'll go for Liverpool just because of their track record at Anfield.
It was highly impressive how the Reds picked up six wins out of six in a group containing Atletico Madrid, Milan and Porto, and their intensity can sometimes simply be too much for opponents when they reach the knockout stages. Throw in a sell-out Anfield and they could have a good chance – it has to be remembered that the stadium was empty when Real Madrid eliminated them last year, when their centre back options were also so decimated that they were starting to draft in members of their under-nines team, or Ozan Kabak.
Odds from bet365: 5/1
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Mark White (staff writer, @markwhlte): Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich would have gone on to win the Champions League last season, were it not for Robert Lewandowski being unavailable against Paris Saint-Germain. I'm entirely sure of it – and still baffled almost 12 months on that the best they offered in Lewangoalski's absence was Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Since then, Die Roten have responded by simply fine-tuning the machine, drafting in Julian Nagelsmann to take the reins and adding RB Leipzig's best two players. The Bundesliga, eh? There seems to be a cold inevitability about the German machine triumphing during the golden era of three Premier League sides. I wouldn't put it past Bayern to knock out all three en route.
Odds from bet365: 7/2
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Ed McCambridge (staff writer, @EdMcCambridge): Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp's side might not pass like Man City or defend like Chelsea, but they're the best team in Europe when it comes to knockout clashes under the floodlights. Their super-high line and relentless pressing give opponents no space to breathe, while the quality of their wide men – be it brilliant full-backs Trent and Robertson or African kings Salah and Mane - can tear the very best sides to pieces. They'll make light work of Inter, and no team will fancy being drawn to play at Anfield in the quarters.
Odds from bet365: 5/1
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Joe Brewin (deputy editor, @JoeBrewinFFT): Manchester City
Every year we think the same – and every year, poor Pep is left to scratch his head and stew over what went wrong for the entirety of his summer. (Poor Mrs Pep.) But not this time. Surely not this time. Manchester City are plodding on mercilessly in the Premier League (again) – not so much obliterating but stubbornly bullying their opposition into submission – and look capable of coolly navigating their way beyond any obstacle put in front of them.
Chelsea emerged as 1-0 victors in last season's final, where Guardiola infamously elected not to pick a recognised anchorman and paid the price. With Rodri virtually ever-present and outstanding this term, however, City have twice beaten the Blues 1-0 while restricting Thomas Tuchel's side to a solitary shot on target across both matches. In tight matches where away goals no longer matter, that is the making of Champions League winners.
Odds from bet365: 11/4
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Conor Pope (online editor, @ConorPope): PSG
2022 could be the year of Qatar in football, hosting the World Cup in winter and bankrolling PSG to the Champions League in spring.
Pochettino’s Paris may be underwhelming, but they are still 13 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 – and last season Lille proved that France’s top flight is more competitive than the “farmer’s league” insults would have many believe. The truth is PSG are really not that bad.
Detractors will also say that Messi is not producing his old magic at his new home, and while the two league goals would back that up, the five in five Champions League games would suggest otherwise. He may be in his declining years, but that really just means he is picking and choosing which games to dominate.
With Neymar in his 30s, and Mbappe likely to leave soon, this is the last chance for this PSG side to land the big one – and a deadline like that might push them to do it.
Odds from bet365: 8/1
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