With the Champions League returning, which team is the favorite to win the competition? Some believe it to be PSG’s who in theory have an easier path to the final and were in good form before the current pandemic.
Others could argue Bayern Munich is the favorite as their form after the restart was exceptional and cruised to winning yet another Bundesliga title. However, the team to keep an eye on in this tournament, which is being overlooked and has serious possibilities of winning is Atlético de Madrid as they search for their first Champions League title in club history.
The team has gone under the radar, but Atlético did not lose after the La Liga restart, winning seven games and only drawing on four occasions. Their defense has only conceded six goals and have kept six clean sheets.
Along with their great defense, they have one of the best goalkeepers in the work in Jan Oblak, while Alvaro Morata and Joao Félix have stepped up with important goals, and Marcos Llorente has arguably been the team’s best player since the league restarted.
They won't back down
It is also worth mentioning Atlético eliminated Liverpool in the previous round, who were the defending champions and seen as favorites to retain the title. Additionally, all games will be one game, which benefits Atlético. In the quarterfinals, they will take on Leipzig, who are a well-organized team but will be without star striker Timo Werner after moving to Chelsea.
If Atlético advance, they will face the winner of the Atalanta or PSG, teams who play to their strengths. Atalanta are great going forward, but are not as solid in defense, which will favor Atlético’s tight defensive and quick counter-attacking style of play.
With PSG on the other hand, it would be a much tougher encounter with their star-studded side. However, Atlético have eliminated tougher opponents in previous editions and there is no reason to believe they could not eliminate PSG.
If they were to get to the final, it is anybody's guess who they would play, but anything can happen in the Champions League final. There is no reason to believe Atlético de Madrid cannot be the next Champions League winners.
