Champions League Returns as PSG Chase Historic Third Straight Title

Paris Saint-Germain begin their Champions League title defence this week with history within reach as the French champions attempt to win Europe’s biggest club competition for a third consecutive season.

PSG retained the trophy last season after overcoming Arsenal on penalties in Budapest, following their maiden Champions League triumph 12 months earlier.

Their back-to-back successes have already placed Luis Enrique’s team among the competition’s elite. Since the modern Champions League was launched in 1992, only Real Madrid had previously managed consecutive victories.

However, three successive titles would be a considerably rarer achievement. Real Madrid accomplished it from 2016 to 2018 under Zinedine Zidane, while Ajax won three straight European Cups from 1971 to 1973 and Bayern Munich followed with their own three-title run from 1974 to 1976. Real Madrid also dominated the early European Cup era, winning the first five editions between 1956 and 1960.

“Our objectives are clear. I want to win important trophies and there are none more important than the Champions League,” Luis Enrique said.

The new-look competition presents another challenge. The league phase now consists of 36 teams, with every side playing eight matches against eight different opponents.

PSG have not had an easy time in the league phase during the last two seasons. They finished outside the top eight on both occasions and needed to play an extra knockout tie to secure a place in the last 16.

They face another demanding campaign, with Manchester City, Barcelona and Aston Villa among the opponents standing in their way.

With Europe’s wealthiest clubs continuing to dominate financially, another surprise Champions League winner appears increasingly difficult to imagine.

Arsenal seeking the final step

Arsenal remain one of the English clubs expected to challenge for the trophy after steadily improving their performances in recent seasons.

The Gunners have gone from quarter-finalists to semi-finalists and then finalists over the last three campaigns. Their next objective under Mikel Arteta is clear: lift the trophy.

Arsenal were flawless in last season’s league phase, finishing top with a perfect record. Their latest campaign begins with a difficult away fixture against Napoli.

England has five clubs in the competition, with Arsenal joined by Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Bayern Munich will also command attention, while Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid adds another storyline to the tournament as he attempts to restore the club to European dominance.

Barcelona are eager to win the trophy again, while Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid could disrupt the established order. Atletico have the added incentive of playing the final at their own stadium.

Champions League newcomers

The competition will also feature several clubs making their mark on the European stage.

In the last three decades, the only Champions League winner from outside Spain, England, Germany, Italy and France was Jose Mourinho’s Porto in 2004.

Como are among this season’s new names after finishing fourth in Serie A under Cesc Fabregas and qualifying ahead of AC Milan and Juventus.

Norwegian club Viking Stavanger have reached the Champions League proper for the first time after winning their first league title in 34 years.

Sabah of Azerbaijan will also make their league-phase debut, beginning with an away match at Manchester United’s Old Trafford after winning their first Azerbaijani championship and surviving four qualifying rounds.

Sabah coach Valdas Dambrauskas has an unusual route into football management, having used money earned from appearing on Lithuania’s version of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ during his journey into coaching.

“Since I was 12, when I realised I will not be a professional player, I knew I wanted to be a football coach,” he said in an interview with Flashscore.

“I cannot guess what would have happened without this game, but I believe I would have found a way to achieve my dream.”

Even if Sabah fail to reach the next stage, their participation has major financial value. Reaching the league phase guarantees almost 20 million euros ($23.2m) at a minimum, a transformative sum for clubs from smaller football markets.

The Champions League winners stand to collect around 90 million euros in prize money, with television and other revenues adding substantially to the total. PSG are reportedly believed to have earned approximately 150 million euros from each of their previous two triumphs.

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