by As the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League group stage unfolds, the intense competition has left some of Europe’s most established clubs precariously close to an early exit. There have already been plenty of shockers, with tournament debutants Brest winning their first two games. At the same time, their French compatriots Lille beat record champions and holders Real Madrid on matchday two. On matchday three, there were even more shocks, with Lille winning again and German outfit Stuttgart stunning Juventus in Turin.
While many are floundering around them, tournament favorites Manchester City have powered on. They are currently one of nine teams that are currently undefeated, with a recent 5-0 drubbing at home to Sparta Prague underscoring their title credentials. Those looking to place a sport bet at Bovada can back the Blues to claim the crown for a second time in three seasons at odds of +285, a price which will surely shorten if the Etihad outfit continues in this fashion.
But as Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable winning machine marches towards yet another title, three of the continent’s heavyweights are already featuring the indignation of an early exit. Let’s see who they are, and where they need to improve if they are to progress to the knockout round.
Atlético Madrid
Under maverick manager Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid has been a stalwart in European competitions. They reached two Champions League finals in as many years in 2014 and 2016, losing in cruel circumstances to cross-city rivals Real Madrid on both occasions. They won the Europa League back in 2018 with a 3-0 win against Marseille in Lyon, but since then Los Rojiblancos haven’t made it past the quarterfinals of the continental stage.
Over the years, the side from the Spanish capital has been known for its resilient defense and tactical discipline. They were once one of the toughest nuts to crack and a team that no one looked forward to playing. However, over the last couple of seasons, Atleti has abandoned their safety-first approach in favor of a more expansive game, and that has seen them begin to ship goals with regular aplomb.
In their three continental games so far this term, Simeone’s side has conceded eight goals, the fifth most of all 36 teams. To add insult to injury, they have scored just three goals themselves, and a shock 3-1 defeat at home to a heavily rotated Lille side on matchday three has left them staring down the barrel already.
Despite a possession rate of 51.67%, Atlético has struggled to turn control of the ball into tangible scoring opportunities. And when they do manage to create a clear opening, the impotent Alexander Sorloth continues to misfire. Two of his missed chances against the French side in that 3-1 defeat at the Wanda Metropolitano have to be seen to be believed. To make matters worse, Atleti have failed to keep a single clean sheet in Europe this season, a stark deviation from their former defensive solidity that served them well.
AC Milan
AC Milan is the second most successful club in the history of the UEFA Champions League, with seven titles to their name. Between 2004 and 2007, the Rossoneri reached three finals in four seasons, winning two and losing one. However, they are without a title since Filippo Inzaghi’s double secured a redemption earning a 2-1 victory against Liverpool in Athens in the third of those three finals. And in the 17 and a half years since Milan has suffered a major downturn in fortunes.
The San Siro outfit went eight years without dining at European football’s most elite dinner table between 2014 and 2022. Upon their return, they went on to reach the semifinals, before being eliminated by archrivals Inter, losing both legs of the two-legged tie. This term, it looks like further pain will follow.
Paulo Fonseca’s side currently finds themselves down in 25th place in the lengthy Champions League table, currently outside of a spot in the knockout round on goal difference. They have suffered disappointing defeats at the hands of both Liverpool and German champions Bayer Leverkusen, netting just once in those two defeats. However, a resounding 3-1 victory against ten-man Club Brugge on matchday three has reignited their hopes.
That recent victory highlighted their attacking potential, driven by standout performances from players like Christian Pulisic. However, their two defeats before some of Europe’s big guns exposed defensive frailties and a lack of depth within the squad. With another difficult test on the horizon against Real Madrid, things could get worse before they get better.
RB Leipzig
While they don’t have the pedigree of the two aforementioned sides, RB Leipzig is a club that has rapidly risen to prominence in recent years. They reached the semifinals of the competition back in 2020, ultimately losing out to French giants Paris Saint-Germain. This term, however, the German side might not even make it past the opening round.
The Red Bulls have lost all three of their opening games, conceding six goals in the process. They threw away a fourth-minute lead to lose to Atletico on week one, before conspiring to throw away another lead against ten-man Juventus on matchday two. Liverpool then handed them a 1-0 defeat on matchday three, and things have gone from bad to worse.
There are still tough tests on the horizon for Marco Rose, with back-to-back away trips against Celtic and Inter Milan in their next two games. Defeats in those two will spell the end for his side in the Champions League this term.
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