Teams Who May Reach the Champions League Final

Real Madrid

Real Madrid really has to start the list of the top teams in the Champions League. With a record 13 titles and 3 runners up places, Madrid is the most successful team in European football competitions. Up until the 90s, Real Madrid were not really in contention to win, as they won most of their trophies in the 50s and 60s. This was with a team of some iconic players in world football at the time such as Alfredo di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.

When Madrid won the Champions League in 1998, they broke a massive 32 years trophy drought. They went on to win with a golden generation of players such as Roberto Carlos, Raul, Clarence Seedorf, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Iker Casillas. The team won in 2000 and 2002, but then had to wait another 12 years before they won their next European trophy. 2014 was the start of another period of European dominance for the club, as they managed to win 4 trophies in 5 years, placing themselves as the leading title winning club.

Barcelona

The fierce domestic rivals of Madrid, Barcelona have been more dominant in the domestic league than their rivals in the 21st century, but they are still quite a long way behind matching Real Madrid's extensive trophy cabinet. Barcelona have won the Champions League 5 times to date, with 3 second place finishes.

Barcelona in fact won their first Champions League in 1992 (when it was still called the European Cup). This is quite late compared with the other clubs who have won the trophy multiple times. Barcelona won three times between 2006 and 11 and then most recently in 2015.

Liverpool

To date, Liverpool are the most successful English club in the Champions League with 6 titles and 3 runners up places. The majority of their success came in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with manager Bob Paisley. Paisley won three Champions League titles with Liverpool in 1977, 1978 and 1983, with his coach Joe Fagan taking over managerial responsibilities in 1984 when Liverpool won their fourth title. Liverpool managed to reach the finals in the following year and lost to Juventus.

The loss was even more tragic because there was a hooligan outbreak and 39 mostly Juventus fans lost their lives. Liverpool were punished by the ruling body UEFA and received a six year ban, with the other English teams receiving a five year ban. The team then had to wait 20 years before they could reach a final again.

The 2005 final of AC Milan vs Liverpool was highly dramatic. After going down 3-0 in the first half, Liverpool came back to draw the game 3-3, and Liverpool won the game on penalties. The club had to wait 14 years before their next title, which they won with the help of their goal scoring winger, Mohammad Salah.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich is the most successful German team, with 6 Champions League titles and 5 runners up places. They won their first European Cup in 1974, and went on to win two more back to back titles in 1975 and 1976. The golden generation of German players such as Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Sepp Maier amongst others, dominated the European competition, and put German football on the European radar. The Munich based side had to wait for 25 years before they won their next European title, which they won in 2001 against Valencia. In 2013, Bayern Munich faced their fierce domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund in an all-German final. In one of the most highly viewed finals, Bayern Munich won 2-1. In 2020 Bayern Munich won the Champions League again, after a long delay caused by the covid-19 pandemic. Bayern Munich beat PSG 1-0 behind closed doors, to clinch their sixth title.

AC Milan

AC Milan is the most decorated Italian side in European tournaments, with 7 Champions League titles and 4 runners up places. They won their first title in 1963, beating twice defending champions Benfica. Milan also won in 1969, but they really became a strong contender for the European tournament in the 90s and early 2000s. Milan won in 1989, 1990, and 1994, with the Dutch trio of Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard, as well as a number of talented home grown players such as Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Carlo Ancelotti and more. The team also came runners up in 1993 and 1995. AC Milan won again in 2003 and 2007, coming to the finals in 2005 but losing out to Liverpool. In 2007 they got their revenge when they met Liverpool again in the final and beat them 2-1.

Manchester City

Manchester City came their closest to winning the competition in 2021, when they lost out in the final to Chelsea. While City does not have the history of some of the other clubs featured in this list of top teams, they have done remarkably well in the domestic league, and under experienced manager Pep Guardiola, they always pose a threat in the Champions League.

Manchester United

Having become the first English team to win the European Cup in 1968, with a legendary team that included George Best and Bobby Charlton, Manchester United has won 3 European titles and placed runners up twice. The side won again in 1999 in one of the most dramatic last minute victories, and in 2008 with the help of players such as Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Edwin van Der Sar, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand. Manchester United is a team that has been threatening in the Champions League, but ever since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, they have struggled to come far in the competition.

Chelsea

Chelsea won their first Champions League in 2012, against Bayern Munich. The scoring was opened in the 83rd minute, with an effort by Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba equalised in the 88th minute, and the match finally went to extra time and then penalties. Chelsea won on penalties, with Petr Cech saving the last two of Bayern's 5 penalties, awarding Chelsea their first title. After the drama they experienced in the 2008 penalty shootouts at the hands of Manchester United, Chelsea finally clinched European glory. In 2021, Chelsea faced Manchester City as the underdogs in the finals. They managed to open the scoring and then hold on to win their second Champions League title.

Paris Saint-Germain

PSG has to feature on this list as the second team, after Manchester City, which has not won a Champions League title yet. They came their closest in 2020 when they reached the finals, but narrowly lost out to Bayern Munich. The team has some of the hottest footballing prospects in the world right now, and it would not be a longshot to tip them to become winners at some point in the near future.

Juventus

Juventus has won the Champions League twice, in 1995 and in 1996, though they have come runners up a record seven times. In 1973, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2015 and 2017. The team have experienced the most heartbreak in the Champions League, despite performing very well and producing some of the biggest footballing talents over the years. Despite their struggles, Juventus is a team that definitely falls into the category of top teams and are a good watch in the tournament too.

Ajax

Ajax have won the Champions League 4 times, with 2 runners up places. They won three titles in back to back years from 1971-3, and also once in 1995. The team features on this list as the favourite underdog, as they have had some truly brilliant performances in the competition despite not having the same budget as some of the other teams. Ajax plays with mostly youth academy players, making their football exciting to watch and winning the sympathy of many football fans who want to see them outplay and beat the big dogs.

How to Bet on the Champions League Top Teams

A lot of fans like to place bets on the top teams in the Champions League, especially as there are so many teams to watch out for and so many fantastic betting options for each game. Betting on the Champions League final is even more enthralling, and can add to any fan’s euphoria when they back their team to win.

Gambling can be fun, but it is always important to be careful of how much you gamble with and to never spend more money than you can afford to lose. Organisations such as gambleaware.co.uk are there for any gamblers who may need help or want to find more information on the topic.