As the UEFA Champions League advances into the Round of 16, the spotlight often gravitates toward traditional powerhouses like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool.
However, this season features several underdog teams poised to challenge the established order.
Champions League Underdogs
Football fans love a good underdog story, and the Champions League has delivered plenty over the years.
In 2004, Porto shocked the world by winning the tournament under José Mourinho, defying expectations against Europe’s elite.
Even bigger clubs have played the role of outsiders – Chelsea’s 2021 triumph came despite their domestic struggles and a squad that wasn’t considered among the strongest.
Bettors were anything but lining up to put their money on The Blues early in the competition. Instead, they were reserved to spend their money elsewhere – even playing roulette games for fun was a better option.
Still, Chelsea shocked many with the win. And this season, a few teams find themselves in a similar position, hoping to write their own Cinderella story.
1. Aston Villa: The Resurgent Contenders
Aston Villa’s return to European competitions under manager Unai Emery has been nothing short of remarkable. The Premier League club has had positive results in Europe’s most elite competition this season.
With victories over Young Boys, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Celtic and remarkably Bayern Munich, Vila swiftly progressed to the Round of 16 without the need for playoffs. Facing Club Brugge in this round, the Villans are expected to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Key players like recent addition, Marcus Rashford, have been instrumental in Villa’s success, providing the attacking prowess needed to compete at this level.
Although their place in the top 10 of the Premier League this season is proving to be a bit of a challenge, their form in Europe promises a strong finish, if not a win.
2. Club Brugge: Belgium’s Dark Horse
Club Brugge has emerged as a dark horse in this season’s Champions League, showcasing resilience and tactical acumen.
Drawn against Aston Villa in the Round of 16, Brugge faces a challenging path but has the potential to cause an upset.
This will be the second time they face Villa in this season’s UCL.
In the league phase, Club Brugge did the unexpected and beat the English side 1-0. A repeat of the result is unlikely, however, with the Belgian team having better form in the Nation’s Pro League, there’s still hope.
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3. Lille OSC: France’s Unyielding Competitors
Lille OSC has quietly made their mark in the Champions League, demonstrating unyielding competitiveness.
Their consistent performances have earned them a spot in the Round of 16, where they are set to face Borussia Dortmund.
While teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid, Dortmund, Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain needed to go through the play-offs to qualify for the RO16, Lille, just like Aston Villa, were safely through.
A win that shows their courage and determination in the UEFA Champions League this season is the one that came against Europe’s most successful club, Real Madrid.
They carried that momentum into another win over a Madrid club, this time beating Atletico Madrid.
Lille ended their league phase with a dominant 6-1 win against Dutch team Feyenoord.
The French club will be looking to maintain that momentum, and put on a strong performance against Dortmund in the RO16.
Why Underdogs Make the Champions League Special
The presence of underdog teams like Aston Villa, Club Brugge, and Lille OSC in the Champions League Round of 16 adds an exciting dynamic to the competition.
Their journeys serve as a reminder that football is unpredictable, and success is not solely reserved for traditional powerhouses.
As the tournament progresses, these teams have the opportunity to continue defying expectations and leaving a lasting impact on Europe’s premier club competition.
Football’s beauty lies in its unpredictability, and history has shown that even the most unlikely teams can triumph.
Porto’s 2004 victory remains one of the greatest underdog stories, while Chelsea’s 2021 campaign proved that European glory isn’t always reserved for domestic powerhouses.
Could this season see another underdog rise to the occasion?
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Photo News
Recording Date: 03.03.2025