The increase in teams in the new format of the Champions League from 32 to 36 has resulted in additional qualification slots in the domestic league. This has made the domestic leagues more competitive with new challengers popping up to grab the opportunity. Last season saw a lot of fairy tales with certain sides outside the regular heavyweights making a return or debuting in the competition. The trend has followed this season with more teams queuing up to create history. We pick out those teams from Europe’s top-five leagues crafting their underdog stories by battling for the Champions League spots.
Lille (France)
Lille has already caused a lot of chaos in the inaugural League Phase of the Champions League by beating the holders Real Madrid and their city rivals Atletico in back-to-back matches while holding Serie A giants Juventus to a 1-1 draw. The team is also making sound domestically, sitting fourth in the table after 11 games and just a point away from a direct League Phase qualification slot. The top three in the French top flight get guaranteed slots in the competition as per the new format and as many as seven teams are competing for it. Les Douges are in a stiff battle with Marseille, Monaco, Nice and their manager’s former employee Lyon for the spot. Appointed in June this year, Bruno Genesio is doing wonders with the present side using all his managerial experience in Ligue 1. Lille has lost just twice in the league but those came in September and since then they have gone 10 games unbeaten in all competitions. Quick countering attacks led by Jonathan David and the architect Edon Zhegrova have been the main strength for the side that wishes to carry its momentum further and eventually win this tight race.
Villarreal (Spain)
Although Villarreal has regularly participated in European competitions, they have not qualified for the continent’s premier club tournament since 2016. After a long delay, the Yellow Submarines seemed to be fulfilling their long-lasting desire to qualify for the Champions League again in the 2024-25 season. In the first full season under Marcelino Toral, the former Europa League winners find themselves fourth in the La Liga table with minimum points difference with both Madrid clubs behind leaders Barcelona. Villarreal suffered just two defeats in the opening 12 matches, but those came against the top two sides in the league, while picking up seven victories and three draws in the rest. The success for the side is spearheaded by new signing Ayoze Perez from Betis, the third-most goalscorer in the league this season, with the existing stars like Álex Baena in midfield and the experienced Raul Albiol in defence. With the wind in their sail, the Yellow Submarines wish to go further to grab one of the automatic spots in the Champions League.
Fiorentina (Italy)
Another team wishing to return to the big stage and even aiming for the Serie A title is Fiorentina as they remarkably sit third with just a point below leaders Napoli. After promising work with Monza, manager Raffaele Palladino was roped in the summer and it proved to be an excellent move by the club. Coupled with some excellent signings like Moise Kean who has produced eight goals, creator Yacine Adli of Milan and former Manchester United keeper David De Gea has strengthened the side who restricted themselves to Conference League qualification in the last couple of seasons. The 25 goals scored show the armory the team possesses with just 10 goals conceded indicating an excellently balanced squad. Palladino’s side has conceded just one loss in the opening 12 games and even humiliated sides like Milan and Roma. The title chase will be challenging with Europa League winners Atalanta and holders Inter also in the mix while Lazio and Juventus could also turn the tide around. However, Fiorentina looks well-equipped to play in the Champions League again after 14 years.
Nottingham Forest (England)
But the ultimate fairytale season could be scripted in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest among the surprise candidates to make the top four in the league. Guided by former Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, the Tricky Trees are hogging the fifth spot with similar points as Chelsea and Arsenal while also leading continental football seekers like Newcastle, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspurs. Moreover, they are the only side to have beaten league leaders Liverpool in any competition which also came at Anfield. Their impactful start has been mostly down to Chris Wood’s incredible second season for the side with only Erling Haaland having more goals than him in the league this season. Forest remained below five in the last two seasons so their performance in the present campaign is no less than spectacular. Nuno’s team will be desperate to hold onto their positive start with the 1980 European Cup winners wishing to return to the competition they last played that year.
