The craziest summer in history translates into the most Galactic Champions League. What was always a fight between the great LaLiga and Premier clubs is now a shaker of stars spread across Europe and with a new declared soccer capital: Paris. A fascinating competition begins, a Champions League that will see Messi for the first time outside of Barça in a dream forward with Mbappé and Neymar. It's now or never for Parisians.
Only one squad has more value than Pochettino's. The 997 million that its stars are worth together – it has also signed Donnarumma, Achraf, Ramos and Wijnaldum, as if that were not enough – are surpassed only by the 1,004 of Manchester City. Guardiola's team, runner-up last year, is the other new rich who aspires to make his debut in the list of winners. He was left without signing a guarantee nine in the summer, but he spent 117 million on an artist like Jack Grealish. More talent for Pep's already oiled machinery. Curiously, City and PSG will share the group in a very tough first phase for both, as they will also have the uncomfortable Leipzig as their guest. Any stumble of the two against the tough Red Bull team can cost them dearly.
The ‘petroderbi’ will decorate an initial section of the exciting competition, as it will also be in the group of Barça and Bayern. A little over a year has passed since that 2-8 that knocked out the Catalans completely. Since then, Barça is another team and Bayern is the same roller as always. Holding on to Memphis emerges as the only reliable formula to be able to diminish the usual fierceness of the Lewandowskis and company. What would have happened to Bayern last season with the Pole available in the decisive rounds. That is the question.
And Madrid?
The king of the Champions, in any case, is and will continue to be Madrid. His 13 titles make him be respected wherever he goes. It is true that he has accumulated three seasons of troubles and that he has made all his signings subject to the new stadium and to the arrival of Mbappé -whether anytime-, but if there is a club that knows how to handle itself in this competition, it is the target. Alaba and Camavinga arrived, Benzema remains immeasurable and Vinicius has definitely exploded. It will reach? Lautaro's Inter will prove it in the group stage.
Where Galacticos are left over this season is at Old Trafford. United wants to be the great club that it has always been and has put the icing on the cake for its project with Cristiano Ronaldo, who doesn't know what it's like to win the Champions League since he left the Bernabéu. Apart from him, Sancho and Varane have arrived to draw a team that has plenty of alternatives at the top with Cavani, Rashford, Martial or Greenwood as illustrious companions. The Red Devils have spent 140 million, more than any other in the summer window.
Five Spaniards
This will be the second time with five Spanish clubs in the Champions League. Villarreal, as champions of the Europa League, will be precisely in the United group together with Atalanta and Young Boys. Very hard. They also expect strong emotions for Atlético. The LaLiga champion, with Griezmann back, cannot be trusted against Liverpool, Porto and Milan. Visits to two temples such as Anfield and San Siro motivate the mattress team on the way to their first Champions League. It will be easier for Sevilla, apparently, with Lille, Salzburg and Wolfsburg.
Besides Mbappé, the other young man who captivates the greats of Europe is Haaland. Its 130 million market value is only surpassed by the 160 of the PSG crack. Both have taken the baton from Messi and Cristiano and are the great ones. That is why Dortmund's matches against Sporting, Ajax and Besiktas acquire greater relevance. Everything the Norwegian does in the Champions League is of interest. Their numbers so far are scary: 20 goals in 16 games.
But if anyone looks at the rest with sufficiency, it is Chelsea. The blues defend crown after their title won last season in Porto. Not only that, they have also been reinforced with top-level signings: Saúl and Lukaku. Tuchel has already hit the key to turn his team into a machine. It seems like a century has passed since then. The most hectic summer in memory has completely turned the landscape of the Champions League upside down. Neither Messi nor Cristiano were saved.