The UEFA Champions League (UCL) brings out a variety of emotions when you’re a spectator or player, varying from anger, frustration, anxiety and excitement for 90 minutes. The last Champions League was one that will be forever historic in the hearts of football fans.
Every year there is that one team that captures the hearts of the football world. Everyone truly loves an underdog story. Let's take a look at some considered to be dark horses that could possibly make some major noise.
Manchester United
I know what you’re all thinking: Manchester United is by far one of the most historic clubs of all time. United finished third in the Premier League last year. This year they haven't been off to a great start, and the cherry on top was a 6-1 loss to Tottenham.
United drew in Group H alongside Paris Saint Germain, RB Leipzig and İstanbul Başakşehir. This might not be the best draw United supporters were looking for but it is not the worst. Leipzig and PSG certainly pose a threat, with both of them making it to the semifinal stage last UCL.
PSG did cut ties with veteran defender Thiago Silva. No love might be lost between these two sides since United knocked off PSG with a last-second penalty back in 2019. Leipzig had a good number of transfers but none bigger than Timo Werner to Chelsea.
United formally brought back the majority of the same team from the years previous Europa League run, but one transfer that might be quite underrated is adding Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan joined the Red Devils just after the start of the season and adding a veteran presence can be beneficial, especially to the younger players on that United Squad. Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side can very well sneak past the group stage and make a deep run that wasn’t seen by many.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan possibly had one of the busiest transfer windows in all of football. Milan added Arturo Vidal from Barcelona and young defender Achraf Hakimi from Real Madrid. Inter also said goodbye to Diego Godin and Mauro Icardi officially.
The Black and Blues got a favorable draw in Group B with Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Antonio Conte’s side should be able to advance to the knockout stages and they could possibly even finish first if they steal a result away from Real Madrid. Inter also finished second in the Serie A last year. With one of the most fun duos to watch in Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, look for Milan to issue some shock waves.
FC Porto
While they didn’t reach the Champions League last year and had a poor showing in the Europa League, they are coming off winning the league for the 29th time in club history. Porto drew in Group C with Manchester City, Olympiacos, and Marseille. The way the group is set up surely City will go through and it will be the other three teams fighting for the second spot.
Porto added 21-year-old Brazilian forward Evanilson from Fluminese, who might be one of the more underrated transfers of this season. The Argentinean Agustin Marchesin might be one of the more underrated goalkeepers in Europe. Manager Sérgio Conceição was the man who broke Porto's five-year championship drought — could he do the same on a bigger stage?
Lazio
Italian side Lazio had not been to the UCL in a long time, but with them finishing fourth in Serie A, they've secured a Champions League berth for the first time in 13 years. Lazio also took home their fifth Supercoppa Italiana, edging Juventus 3-1. Lazio rode the hot boot of Ciro Immobile, who was the top goalscorer in Serie A and tied the league's all-time record with 36 goals.
The Eagles drew in Group F with Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, and Zenit Saint Petersburg. At first glance, Dortmund may look like the favorites to advance but beyond that the group is open. Especially if Dortmund suffers an upset with any of these teams. Lazio stands out for one reason and that is Ciro Immobile. The 30-year-old has scored 104 goals in 145 appearances for Lazio. Look for the Italian side to grab the attention of the football world.
Sevilla
Sevilla comes off winning the Europa League for the sixth time in club history, marking them as the most successful club in Europa League history. This summer saw them add Ivan Rakitic from Spanish rivals FC Barcelona, who adds a nice veteran presence in a younger midfield.
Led by Julen Lopetegui, Sevilla drew in Group E with Chelsea, Rennes, and Krasnodar. The two that obviously stand out are Sevilla and Chelsea, but Sevilla can very well finish first in this group. They’ve shown in the past they can go toe to toe with Premier League clubs. Sevilla supporters are surely tired of hearing about the Europa League and have their eye set on something bigger this time around.
