Over the last few UEFA Champions League campaigns, underdog sides have continually defied expectations. For example, had it not been for a last-minute goal by Lucas Moura, Ajax would have found themselves in the 2018-19 final. Yet, prior to that campaign, the competition had boasted an element of unpredictability for much of the last decade. So, let’s take a look at how underdogs are rising up to challenge on the European stage.
An Emerging Pattern of Upsetting the Odds
While, on paper, Ajax isn’t one of Europe’s breakthrough sides, having won the European Cup on four occasions, their run to the semi-finals in 2018-19 is a testament to what the tournament stands for. Having failed to qualify for the Champions League since 2014-15, few expected the 34-time Dutch league winners to come through a group consisting of Bayern Munich, Benfica, and AEK Athens, to then defeat both Real Madrid and Juventus in two-legged ties.
Interestingly, the achievement was somewhat mirrored in 2017-18, albeit with less recognition. While Ajax rightfully received praise for the manner in which they played throughout their unexpected run, few would have predicted Roma to reach the semi-finals the year before. Much like the Dutch Champions, La Magica was on the brink of reaching the final, before suffering an aggregate 7-6 defeat to the newly-crowned Premier League champions, Liverpool.
Furthermore, when you analyze the 2019-20 Champions League campaign, numerous shocks have occurred. While Atalanta reached the quarter-finals and came within a few minutes of beating Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon surprisingly beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus in making it to the last-eight of the competition.
Why Do Team Target European Success?
While, of course, anything can happen in football, few can argue that the recent emergence of unpredictability in European football has aided the tournament’s excitement. For the future of the Champions League, the sport may need teams like Ajax, Atalanta, and Roma to defy expectations in seeing the competition retain its ever-popular format.
Since the 1990s, discussions have taken place regarding a European Super League. The idea entails Europe’s elite clubs playing each other in a league-style format. Although this concept would, if introduced, redefine football’s landscape, underdog runs have highlighted that the richest clubs aren’t always the ones worth watching, according to Forbes.
Aside from financial reasons, unfavored teams often target the Champions League as a means of showcasing their abilities to a global audience. Importantly, the size of the competition’s appeal can’t be understated. In pop culture, the tournament is central to game developments, with the FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer franchises often competing with each other for the Champions League’s in-game rights.
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Furthermore, because of its much-loved nature, the competition has also become a focal point within the online casino industry. At Casino Hacks, a review platform that outlines the best casino bonuses and free spin offer in New Zealand, numerous listed operators provide prospective bettors with Champions League-inspired titles, including Casumba and LeoVegas. Both sites feature Football: Champions Cup, a five-reel slot that adopts the theme a cup-formatted football tournament.
A Pattern That’s Here to Stay?
Nothing in football is ever set in stone. However, despite that, trends shouldn’t be ignored. If the last few Champions League campaigns are anything to go by, then upsets are here to stay. Ultimately, that’s the thrill of European football, and spectators wouldn’t want it any other way.
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