Soccer fans enjoyed a thrilling summer of international action from Germany, with Euro 2024 keeping us glued to our seats. England started as favorites at the sports betting sites but came up short in the final. Spain captured the trophy on German soil to become the tournament’s most successful club, and now they look forward to the FIFA World Cup in 2026 with optimism. Will Spain do the double again by collecting the Euros and World Cup?
Now that the dust has settled on a hectic summer, attention has returned to club football with the English Premier League back on our screens. Manchester United opened the show with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham, but there’s room for improvement in the Red Devils’ camp. Week one also brought wins for Man City, Brentford, Liverpool, Arsenal, Brighton, Newcastle, and Aston Villa.
The return of the EPL means summer is fading fast, but it also heralds the renewal of the Champions League, and this year’s event promises to be something special. UEFA has revamped the format to celebrate its 70th anniversary, with the various groups replaced by a larger league and extended first stage. When qualifying is over, and the final line-up has been announced, the competition proper begins on Tuesday, September 17th.
Traders Backing City
Which team do you think will win the Champions League and be crowned kings of the continent next spring? The leading online gambling apps offer generous odds and exciting specials on the return, allowing gamblers to have their say and target a profit. Bettors can go with the defending champions, Real Madrid, to win the final in Munich on Saturday, May 31st. Blancos is the competition’s most decorated team, and they’re popular with pundits, betting traders, and fans.
Real Madrid impressed when beating Borussia Dortmund last term to pick up a record-breaking 15th title, but that wasn’t enough to impress gambling industry chiefs. Traders place Man City at the head of the outright betting list, with Pep Guardiola’s side picked to blaze a trail of glory to Germany and win the club’s second Champions League medal. City famously beat fellow English Premier League club Tottenham to the prize in 2023 after losing to Chelsea in their first final two years previously.
Could the 70th renewal of the Champions League throw up a surprise? It’s certainly possible as we approach what will be the most exciting and unpredictable tournament in recent years. The sportsbooks have Man City and Real Madrid as the top two in the betting but also rate the chances of Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are in great shape, while Munich would enjoy home advantage at the Allianz Arena if they made it that far.
In preparation for this year’s Champions League, let’s set the scene by reflecting on some of the most memorable finals.
Liverpool 3-3 A.C. Milan
The 2005 final between Liverpool and A.C. Milan is arguably the most dramatic and memorable in Champions League history. Played at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, this final is often referred to as the “Miracle of Istanbul.”
Milan, boasting a star-studded line-up, raced to a 3-0 lead by half-time, with Paolo Maldini scoring in the first minute and Hernán Crespo adding two more before the break. It appeared as though the Italians would cruise to victory. However, what followed in the second half was one of the greatest comebacks in the history of football.
Liverpool scored three goals in six minutes, with Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso turning the game on its head. The match ended 3-3 after 90 minutes and extra time, leading to a penalty shootout. Liverpool triumphed 3-2 in the shootout, completing a remarkable turnaround that still reverberates in the annals of football history.
Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid
The 2014 Champions League final, dubbed the “Madrid Derby,” was another high-scoring affair that provided late drama. Real Madrid faced city rivals Atlético Madrid at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Atlético, known for their defensive resilience under manager Diego Simeone, looked set to win their first Champions League title when Diego Godín’s first-half header gave them a 1-0 lead.
However, Real Madrid’s persistence paid off deep into stoppage time when Sergio Ramos headed in the equalizer in the 93rd minute, forcing the match into extra time. With Atlético physically and mentally exhausted, Real Madrid took control in extra time, scoring three more goals through Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo to secure a 4-1 victory. This win gave Real Madrid their long-awaited “La Décima,” the club’s 10th European Cup title.
Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United
Barcelona, under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, played a mesmerizing style of football, often referred to as “tiki-taka.” This final showcased Barcelona at their peak, with Lionel Messi, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta orchestrating a masterclass in midfield.
Pedro Rodríguez opened the scoring for Barcelona, but Wayne Rooney equalized for United shortly after. However, Messi restored Barcelona’s lead with a brilliant strike, and David Villa added a third to seal a 3-1 victory. The match highlighted Barcelona’s dominance in Europe during that period, with their fluid passing and movement leaving Manchester United chasing shadows for much of the game.
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
The match is best remembered for the contrasting fortunes of the players involved. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was forced off with a shoulder injury in the first half, a moment that many believe swung the match in Madrid’s favor. The game remained goalless until the second half when Karim Benzema capitalized on a mistake by Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius to give Madrid the lead.
Liverpool equalized through Sadio Mané, but Gareth Bale, coming off the bench, scored one of the greatest goals in Champions League history with a bicycle kick to restore Madrid’s lead. Bale added a third goal later, again following an error from Karius, sealing a 3-1 victory for Madrid.
Are you ready for this season’s return of the Champions League? You can follow the play live on major broadcasters, including TNT Sports.
