Here is the starting grid, two and a half months after the start of the group stage: together with Guardiola’s team among the favorites are Psg, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Juventus first among the Serie A teams
The Champions League 2022/23 has already begun. The preliminaries started with the matches between Inter Escaldes and La Fiorita (teams from Andorra and San Marino) and between Levadia and Vikingur Reykjavik, clubs from Estonia and Iceland. It feels like another world than the tournament in which Manchester City and Real Madrid, Psg and Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Chelsea play. It is, but the Champions is also a competition of Cinderella and fairy tales, of small realities that are able to compete with the big world champions. Then, to the point, when it comes to playing the games that really matter, it’s (almost) always the usual ones. But which teams will be competing for the title this year? Here, as of today, is the starting grid according to the bookmakers. With the asterisk due to the transfer market, which could change everything in recent months.
THE PROGRAM
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Meanwhile, an eye on the calendar: the group stage will take place before the World Cup in Qatar, with the first day scheduled for 6/7 September and the last in the two days between 1 and 2 November. Draws will take place on 25 August, the first band is already known: Real Madrid, Eintracht Frankfurt, Manchester City, Milan, Bayern Munich, Psg, Porto and Ajax. The first question arises spontaneously: where are the reigning champions, Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos, located on the grid of favorites? According to the bookmakers, Madrid do not start in front of everyone. In those parts they will make a reason, given the triumph of last year despite the predictions at the beginning of the year did not push Real to the title.
THE FAVORITES
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There are four most accredited teams, with obviously possible variations between one operator and another: Manchester City, Psg, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. The first two are always there, in pole position: a matter of investments, of potential, of players available. But City and Psg are still chasing the title in these years when they always seem to be one step away from making it. Klopp’s team, on the other hand, remained empty-handed last year with the Champions League final lost and the Premier League title escaped for a very short time. Liverpool will no longer have Sadio Mané, officially a new Bayern player: eye, of course, on the Bavarians. Then Real Madrid and Chelsea, more distant Barcelona and Juventus: the Italian team is attributed more chances of victory. Among ours, Inter and Milan follow the bianconeri, Naples detached. But how many things can change, the Champions League is now only savored. And dreamed: the countdown has begun.
June 24 – 12:03
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