The Champions League bubble: a preview

Some 118 days after a ball was last kicked in Europe, the Champions League is finally set to make its long-awaited return to our TV screens. It’s back, but not as we know it. Curtailed by the coronavirus outbreak, this year’s tournament has moved to a ‘bubble’ format that sees the remaining teams all heading to Lisbon for a two-week footballing fiesta.

Sure, there’s the small matter of the last of the Round of 16 ties to get out the way first, and the wise money here could well be on differing fates for the big Spanish rivals.

Real Madrid are flying high, winning every game since the restart to clinch the LaLiga title. Add that to their European pedigree and you wouldn’t rule out a big comeback by Los Blancos against Pep Guardiola’s Man City side to send them to Lisbon.

Cross to Spain’s second city and things are not so rosy. Lionel Messi’s outburst following their domestic failure was a reflection of Barcelona’s struggles and they will not be looking forward to their crunch clash with Napoli, led by Serie A top-scorer Ciro Immobile.

Two teams already sure of their place in Portugal are Atalanta and Atlético de Madrid, dark horses with vastly different styles. Diego Simeone’s side eliminated reigning champions Liverpool just before the break and have battled their way to the final twice in recent years. Meanwhile, new boys Atalanta are Europe’s second-highest scorers this term and haven’t lost a game since the resumption of Serie A. Could they go all the way?

Robert Lewandowski is this edition’s top scorer and looks likely to stay that way. The 31-year-old’s 11 goals so far have seen Bayern Munich stroll into the quarterfinals and could well make them favourites get their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2013.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus side, meanwhile, must overturn a 1-0 loss in Lyon to come through and make the bubble. But in knock-out football, especially with the single-game ties the tournament has been forced to adopt, you’d be mad to bet against Mr. Champions League inspiring his side to exactly the kind of victorious run they signed him for two years ago.

All we know is, on the European stage, anything can happen. After such a lengthy break and in this new exciting format, we just can’t wait to get started.