Bayern Munich (GER)
Bomb: 1
UEFA coefficient table (2021/22 period closing): 1
how it was categorised: champion of the German championship
Past year: quarter-finals (D 2-1 mixture v Villarreal)
Best overall performance in the Champions Cup: champion (1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2019/20)
Trainer: Julian Nagelsmann
The now 35-12 months-aged turned the youngest supervisor in Bundesliga record when he took around Hoffenheim at the age of 28, major them to the Champions League by finishing fourth the next period. He ongoing to impress in his two seasons at RB Leipzig just before going to Bayern in the summer season of 2021, profitable the German title in his initial year there.
key player: Joshua KimmichThe glue that binds Bayern’s defense and assault collectively, Kimmich solidified his name as the coronary heart of the Bundesliga midfield previous season. Now in his eighth whole season in Monaco, the 27-yr-aged is regarded as the club’s foreseeable future captain.
Great signature this summer months: Sadio UomoisMané, who was portion of the Liverpool squad that ended the ‘Reds’ 30 decades of waiting around for a title at the optimum amount in Europe and achieved a few Champions League finals in five seasons, arrives in Monaco with the intention of fill the void still left by Robert Lewandowski’s departure for Barcelona.
participant to check out: Ryan GraveberchInspite of his young age, Gravenberch has turn out to be a staple of Ajax midfield underneath Erik ten Tag, earning a whole of 88 Eredivisie, Cup and European appearances in the very last two seasons in Amsterdam. This elegant, sturdy, smart and experienced merchandise from Ajax’s youth sector has all it normally takes to access the prime.
Did you know?
Bayern were being the leading scorer in the team stage previous time, with 22 aims, and also extended their Champions League unbeaten report to 22 game titles, just before shedding in the quarter-finals to Villarreal at La Cerámica.
Barcelona (ESP)
Bomb: 2
UEFA coefficient desk (2021/22 season final): 6
how it was categorized: second position in the Spanish league
Final year: group stage (3rd position), quarter-finals of the Europa League
Ideal overall performance in the Champions Cup: champion (1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15)
Mentor: Xavi Hernandez
Xavi, a single of Barcelona’s most decorated players, remodeled the Barça workforce immediately after his appointment as Ronald Koeman’s successor. Acquiring led the staff from ninth to second in the league past year, wonderful matters are expected of the former midfielder in his to start with whole season at the helm.
critical player: PedriPedri will switch 20 in November, but has turn out to be a vital player at Barça in the past two seasons because joining from Las Palmas. With a ability with the ball that has led him to be when compared to significant names like his very own mentor (Xavi) or Andrés Iniesta, the youthful Canarian has a fantastic passing capability and an eye for praiseworthy ambitions.
Excellent signature this summertime: Robert LewandowskiThe relentless Polish ahead broke Gerd Müller’s history of 43 objectives in a calendar year in Gerd Müller’s German league last time, clinching his tenth consecutive title. Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored additional ambitions than the striker due to the fact the start of the 2011/12 year.
participant to check out: GaviGavi, yet another La Masía-educated midfielder, became the youngest player in heritage to defend the Spanish nationwide group last period when he built his debut at the age of 17 yrs and 62 days. In addition, he also became the youngest scorer in the background of “Roja” when he scored at the age of 17 and 304 days in opposition to the Czech Republic before this 12 months.
Did you know?
Previous season, Barcelona unsuccessful to progress from the team phase for the initial time considering the fact that 2000/01. Additionally, his two-goal record in favor was at least 5 less than any of his other group phase appearances.
Amongst (ITA)
Bomb: 3
UEFA coefficient table (2021/22 time closing): 23
how it was categorised: 2nd spot in the Italian championship
Final time: Spherical of 16 (D 2-1 mixture v Liverpool)
Most effective functionality in the Champions Cup: winner (1963/64, 1964/65, 2009/10)
Coach: Simone InzaghiA a few-time Serie A and Coppa Italia winner as a Lazio participant, the 46-12 months-old also brought Roma a national cup throughout his 5 seasons in business. He took in excess of from Antonio Conte past summer time, successful the Supercoppa and Coppa Italia in his very first season at the helm of the crew.
Important participant: Lautaro MartinezNicknamed “El Toro”, Martínez concluded the 2021/22 year with 25 ambitions in 49 appearances in all competitions, his file given that joining Inter from Argentinian Racing Club in 2018. He has fashioned a good partnership as a lover of Lukaku, who returned to the Italian club on loan from Chelsea in the 2020/21 period.
Good signature this summer months: Romelu LukakuThe Belgian all-time prime scorer returns to the club with whom he scored 24 league objectives in the 2020/21 season, when Inter gained their 1st league title in 11 many years. Previously he was productive at Anderlecht, West Brom, Everton and Manchester United.
player to view: Kristjan AsllaniAsllani, the second Albanian participant to dress in the Inter shirt, turned the centerpiece of Empoli’s midfield all through his stay at the Tuscan club. Blessed with an excellent first contact and exquisite passing capacity, the midfielder is one particular of the most appealing bets in Serie A.
Did you know?
Inter Milan had been the group with the most photographs in last season’s team phase, with 117 in their six video games.
Pilsen (CZE)
Bomb: 4
UEFA coefficient table (2021/22 season last): 55
how it was categorised: play-offs (W2-1 combination v Qarabağ)
Very last time: Europa Meeting League participate in-offs
Very best performance in the Champions Cup: group stage (2011/12, 2013/14, 2018/19, 2022/23)
Mentor: Michal Bílek
Bílek led Plzeň to their sixth league title in the 2021/22 season, his next time at the helm of the club. Born in Prague, the previous Czech nationwide workforce midfielder led his staff to the quarter-finals of EURO 2012 just before moving on to the helm of Kazakhstan. As a participant, Bílek has gained a overall of nine Czech titles and 35 caps for the countrywide team, scoring 11 ambitions.
Critical term: Jindřich Staněk
The Everton exporter is in the primary of his profession and his reliable overall performance paved the way for Plzeň to gain the title and qualify for the Champions League group phase. Given that his arrival in January 2020, Staněk has established himself as the club’s starting up goalkeeper and is aiming to switch Tomáš Vaclík as the Czech Republic’s setting up goalkeeper.
Fantastic signature this summer: Jan Kliment
The previous Stuttgart and Brøndby striker, now 28, arrived from Wisła Kraków this summertime and is currently scoring decisive targets, such as the initial purpose from Qarabağ, which ensured Plzeň gain in the enjoy-offs.
Player to view: Lukáš Kalvach
A established piece professional in demand of carrying the ball from behind and effective in midfield, Kalvach’s passing and cross capabilities are invaluable to Plzeň. He joined the club from Olomouc in 2019, turning into 1 of his key players right before earning his very first connect with-up to the Czech countrywide crew that very same calendar year.
Did you know?
Pavel Horváth, Marek Bakoš and Daniel Kolář, who were being section of the Plzeň squad that achieved the group stage in 2011, go on to get the job done for the club. His previous staff-mate, 33-year-outdated winger Václav Pilař, returned to Viktoria in the summer months.
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