UEFA Champions League 2026/27 Season

[Africolo]

we can start the speculations and what will be our favorite teams for next season
What do you think about it?



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the thread will be updated and closed after the end of UCL of course

Previous season:
- UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Season - winner PSG
- UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Season - winner PSG
- UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Season - winner Real Madrid
- UEFA Champions League 2022/23 Season - winner Manchester City

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- PSG is the last winner of the cup.
- UEFA Champions League is the first cup of Europe. After Europa League and Conference League.
- There are 80 teams total, 32 in group stage in 8 group.
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Champions_League

We all know that PSG is the best team in the world right now but I don't see them winning the trophy for the third time in a roll next season and the game they played with Arsenal was a tough one and we all know that penalties are games of luck because it's a 50/50 chances for any team to win so that's the main reason I said they won't win three In a roll as other things can equally hinder them which are injuries, this are setbacks that hinders a good team from winning trophies mostimes, I predicted Arsenal to win but they went to defend instead of coming out to play football.

Arsenal scored early in the game and I was expecting a full attack from them so they can overpower PSG just the way Chelsea in the club world cup finals, but they relaxed and allow PSG to dominate and pressure them into commiting a foul that lead to the penalty that made them equalize, other teams will re- enforce their teams by buying players next season so I don't see them winning it for the third time.

[Franctoshi]

We have seen what ball possession and defending does. PSG had the ball, Arsenal scored early and only defended, and PSG ended up being the winners. So maybe we should not think ball possession as unimportant. Nobody claims that guarantees a win, but it does help with a win, it is more important to have the ball than not have the ball, and while you may or may not win, you are going to have an advantage.

PSG showed that to us, Barcelona back in the day did show that to us as well. You have to realize that PSG is the best team in the world right now and they do have the ball as much as possible and attack very quickly, very early on. They do not "build up" the game, they just attack, and try their chance as quickly as possible and then try to get the ball back and try again quickly.

Ball possession is part of winning a match but Arsenal lost that match not because of the fact that PSG had the ball possession but they loosguard the opportunity being presented to them. They blew that opportunity away, by using a wrong tactical system of approach in the second half after winning the first half. Secondly, part of why Arsenal lost that champions League too was due to fear, they lacked confidence in that game to face their opponent.

[Triffin]

Penalty shootout is an entirely a different ball game when it comes to football matches, it has a different mental approach but saying the PSG side is more mentally superior or better than the Arsenal is somewhat absurd because there is no team in the world that can boast of penalty shootout prowess, there is no team on earth that we can say are very good with penalties, we can discuss other qualities of different teams but not penalty shootout.

Penalty shootouts are all about strong physiology and luck as well. Arsenal was unlucky to lose and suffer, but still, this was a good end for them. They did a good job for 120 minutes on the ground and never allowed PSG to dominate despite having good attacking soccer; here, a lack of experience surely was a problem.
 
PSG under Luis Enrique has done a good job after the arrival, and now he is having one of the best squads in the European league. This is helping them to have good success and win the Champions League for the second time in 2 years. A few teams are surely going to have enough edge in the coming season. Arsenal could be one of them due to their depth and consistency.

[moneystery]

Psg had more ball possession than arsenal but they could not break through Arsenal's defense. If not for the penalty they had they would not have had any opportunity to score. When it comes to goal scoring psg has more advantage over arsenal that's the reason why they defeated arsenal in the end. Defense is not enough to win a team like psg.

What I dislike about Arsenal is that they immediately went defensive when they took a 1-0 lead. They didn't dare attack PSG and tried to buy time as much as possible in the hope of winning. But they were wrong, that was a cowardly option and gave PSG more opportunities to attack, and indeed, they conceded.
But we have to admit that Arsenal's defense is very good. Even though they were bombarded by PSG attacks, they still managed to hold on, even until extra time.

[FBCTorg]

I don't think City will want to let Haaland leave. Enzo Maresca will definitely want to keep the team that Guardiola built. He was not brought in to rebuild everything from. I think that, at least initially, the squad and the work that Guardiola has already done will be more than enough for him. As for Mbappé, there have been many rumors that he has poor relationships with several players in the Real Madrid dressing room. So, if Mourinho is unable to improve the relationships between the players, I suppose that Mbappé could even change club. Although, to be honest, I don't see any real signs pointing in that direction at the moment.

Pep Guardiola is gone, but Manchester City still has impressive depth, and they can go through under Enzo Maresca without any trouble for the title race against their opponents. Erling Haaland could be their key player for having success just because of this. No one wants him to leave the club right now.

Mbappe could be a problem in any club due to his selfishness. He was having trouble in the PSG dressing room; now the same is happening at Real Madrid. Most chances, Jose Mourinho will not do anything if things have no change; simply, they will go ahead with a new strategy, and Mbappe is surely going to have a new club, and Haaland could be the new Real Madrid striker, but this will happen not before 2027.

[jaberwock]

Ball possession doesn't not win the match, it can be an achievement for the players but if they don't win, it means nothing in the league. If you look back to how PSG was playing in the Champions League, everyone seems to be supporting because of how they were coming for all teams, they gave Bayern a very big blow on the face with goals, they did the same with Chelsea but what happen in final? They calm down and was looking for ways to attack and defend.

There are some moment that a team will not be doing well, they wouldn't have all the ball possession for like months in the competition, the performance will be poor but they do win and after like one month or weeks, they come back stronger and as bad as football looks, the previous bad games they have had with poor performance will be forgotten, the next focus will be these one as if they never had poor performance from the beginning.

This is what I always hated. Just because Mourinho once said that they can take the ball home, we will get the three points, everyone thought ball possession means nothing. It does not, it means everything in football, if you have the ball, other team does not, and if you have it, then you could score, if you have it, they can't score, because if you have the ball then how can they score. That means keeping the ball as much as possible is a great part of the game, sure it is not the whole thing, of course you can still have more ball possession and lose, that is not a guarantee but it is a great strategy.

[Qhunman]

The main target in football is to score goals and win. Sometimes it is possible to win a match by having the ball and playing defensively. But if they  can not score even after having the ball and they lose the match, then there is no point in showing such dominance in the match. Arsenal play defensively. They want to control the match by having the ball. Such a strategy works quite well when they  are not facing strong teams. Such a strategy is not very effective against strong attacking teams.

Arsenal allowed psg influence to get to them they were not confident that they can beat psg that is why after they scored the first goal in the first half they went to defend. Arsenal were very low in morale so psg took advantage of it and start dominating the ball. If arsenal had used the same energy against PSG as they did against bayern munich they could've defeated PSG in the final but they lack confidence and that was why psg defeated them.

[Adams0001]

What I dislike about Arsenal is that they immediately went defensive when they took a 1-0 lead. They didn't dare attack PSG and tried to buy time as much as possible in the hope of winning. But they were wrong, that was a cowardly option and gave PSG more opportunities to attack, and indeed, they conceded.
But we have to admit that Arsenal's defense is very good. Even though they were bombarded by PSG attacks, they still managed to hold on, even until extra time.

That what make them lose the champions league trophy they get the opportunity in the first half and score one goal when they will still be pressing well and get more goals but they start to defence and PSG have good attacker in the team and they used it and press them very well.

Artete need to get some players and change is strategy of playing because this can’t help him when playing the champions league he can succeed in league competition with that but when is champions league he need to have other tactic to play in the pitch. I wish arsenal won the champions league and that will be a great reward for the club.

[Callido]

Arsenal allowed psg influence to get to them they were not confident that they can beat psg that is why after they scored the first goal in the first half they went to defend. Arsenal were very low in morale so psg took advantage of it and start dominating the ball. If arsenal had used the same energy against PSG as they did against bayern munich they could've defeated PSG in the final but they lack confidence and that was why psg defeated them.

Arsenal are good with defending the goals they scored, 1 goal is enough for them to defend and end the entire minutes with the same score line. I didn't blame them when they went all defensive and if not for the penalty, Arsenal would have won the final with just a goal from the first half.

PSG got very lucky that they got a penalty and utilized the opportunity, that was only what saved them from not losing the title to Arsenal, i give Arsenal the credit for that game, PSG dominated but Arsenal showed signs they can come back stronger next season once they upgrade their attack, while they defends the goals, also necessary to add more to the scoreboard.

[Stable090]

Ball possession is part of winning a match but Arsenal lost that match not because of the fact that PSG had the ball possession but they loosguard the opportunity being presented to them. They blew that opportunity away, by using a wrong tactical system of approach in the second half after winning the first half. Secondly, part of why Arsenal lost that champions League too was due to fear, they lacked confidence in that game to face their opponent.

Arteta feels thats just the best strategy to use in the match. Actually I don’t really like the idea of playing a defensive game in a match, it’s going to make the match so boring, and if you are playing against a team with strong attack, they just going to look for a way to break your defense. PSG sensed fear in Arsenal squad and they took advantage of that, if Arsenal were more confident in the match, it will have been difficult for PSG to win the match, because am sure Arsenal will score more than a goal in the match. It’s better Arteta works on his mistake by next season, when playing against top teams, he should be confident in his player’s, and shouldn’t ask them to play defensive game.

[$weetne$$]

Arsenal allowed psg influence to get to them they were not confident that they can beat psg that is why after they scored the first goal in the first half they went to defend. Arsenal were very low in morale so psg took advantage of it and start dominating the ball. If arsenal had used the same energy against PSG as they did against bayern munich they could've defeated PSG in the final but they lack confidence and that was why psg defeated them.

This is actually very possible because prior to the game, there was a lot of speculation that PSG has got a better chance and could win the title more than Arsenal does have a chance, they could have had that in mind and it did caused them to be really conservative with their performance especially after they got the early goal, they all fell back to defending and were just too careful hoping  they were going to keep the scoreline that way and get declared winners by the end of 90 minutes.

[Dzwaafu11]

Psg had more ball possession than arsenal but they could not break through Arsenal's defense. If not for the penalty they had they would not have had any opportunity to score. When it comes to goal scoring psg has more advantage over arsenal that's the reason why they defeated arsenal in the end. Defense is not enough to win a team like psg.

What I dislike about Arsenal is that they immediately went defensive when they took a 1-0 lead. They didn't dare attack PSG and tried to buy time as much as possible in the hope of winning. But they were wrong, that was a cowardly option and gave PSG more opportunities to attack, and indeed, they conceded.
But we have to admit that Arsenal's defense is very good. Even though they were bombarded by PSG attacks, they still managed to hold on, even until extra time.

I also want you to understand  that this Arsenal style of play, this is not new to any Arsenal fan who is watching thier matches. Arsenal is known for scoring many goals rather, securing the winning is most important thing for the gunners. And that is why even their match against PSG they did'nt care to hustle for more goals, but closing the home is the important thing to them.

And you can testify that Arsenal defense is very strong and active, PSG find it difficult to break. If not for that penalty Arsenal would have secure the champions league trophy.

[RockBell]

Psg had more ball possession than arsenal but they could not break through Arsenal's defense. If not for the penalty they had they would not have had any opportunity to score. When it comes to goal scoring psg has more advantage over arsenal that's the reason why they defeated arsenal in the end. Defense is not enough to win a team like psg.

What I dislike about Arsenal is that they immediately went defensive when they took a 1-0 lead. They didn't dare attack PSG and tried to buy time as much as possible in the hope of winning. But they were wrong, that was a cowardly option and gave PSG more opportunities to attack, and indeed, they conceded.
But we have to admit that Arsenal's defense is very good. Even though they were bombarded by PSG attacks, they still managed to hold on, even until extra time.

That is one of there major problems all they did was for them to score and enter a defense mood and it was what they did and it was working for them because psg was finding it very hard to score but the only thing that I see that fucked arsenal up was the fact that the made a mistake about the foul which a penalty was awarded to psg and they dragged them to penalties and they already know that they will have a better chance,  and everyone one gave credit to arsenal but what i don't know why everyone hates arsenal my club have tried there best and they felt like the fans were making to much noise and they just don't remember that they will need to do better next time in other to win the champions league.

[Abdulzuruku01]

Ball possession is part of winning a match but Arsenal lost that match not because of the fact that PSG had the ball possession but they loosguard the opportunity being presented to them. They blew that opportunity away, by using a wrong tactical system of approach in the second half after winning the first half. Secondly, part of why Arsenal lost that champions League too was due to fear, they lacked confidence in that game to face their opponent.

Yeah of course ball possession is part of winning a game and arsenal lost that match due to too much defending and lack of consistency in that game. Although they really tried their best in the match but based on what I observed, they started match started defending too early and they even wasted time right from the first half of the match.

What make the match boring was Arsenal played with fear which effected them the most in the match, the idea of defending Arteta used  was very very wrong in my opinion, because you can't play a match with a team that has best attackers in the champions League and you started with defending pattern to me that was his biggest mistake in that final.

[Floczy]

I think it is possible that mentally, PSG players are better at penalty shootouts. They won the Champions League trophy last season, and when they faced a deadlock against Arsenal, they eventually managed to equalize. That makes me think the players' mentality is better than Arsenal's players in penalty shootouts.

I agree with your point on this, penalty shootouts, tacticality and attack are the best features of psg but for arsenal they have only defense as their ultimate game play, they are not good at goal scoring and penality shootouts compared to psg. Now that arsenal are in form they need to start working on themselves because if they don't improve they might not have the same opportunity again for the long time.

Every team will improve its performance for the new season. They will come with new strength and new competition as well. Their opponents are also strong European teams, and they are not complacent with their achievements and continue to improve their performance. Arsenal will still be able to compete next season if they remain consistent and improve their performance. Next season, I think it will not be easy for either Arsenal or PSG in the Champions League.

Well I feel it will just be like Evey other champions league, Although there are few clubs that show great potential to shine this new season, like Aston Villa and Bournemouth, that is if they do not sell their star players, the way they closed this past season was so impressive, and I feel with that same performance they have a chance for the champions league trophy chase, not just to play but to chase the trophy

[Amphenomenon]

We have seen what ball possession and defending does. PSG had the ball, Arsenal scored early and only defended, and PSG ended up being the winners. So maybe we should not think ball possession as unimportant. Nobody claims that guarantees a win, but it does help with a win, it is more important to have the ball than not have the ball, and while you may or may not win, you are going to have an advantage.

PSG showed that to us, Barcelona back in the day did show that to us as well. You have to realize that PSG is the best team in the world right now and they do have the ball as much as possible and attack very quickly, very early on. They do not "build up" the game, they just attack, and try their chance as quickly as possible and then try to get the ball back and try again quickly.

Ball possession is part of winning a match but Arsenal lost that match not because of the fact that PSG had the ball possession but they loosguard the opportunity being presented to them. They blew that opportunity away, by using a wrong tactical system of approach in the second half after winning the first half. Secondly, part of why Arsenal lost that champions League too was due to fear, they lacked confidence in that game to face their opponent.

Arsenal continued with their boring tactical approach of defense majorly on this game and we saw thd opportunities PSG were able to get, and if not that they were actually wasteful PSG didn't need extra time or penalty shootout to win the champions league.

Gunners were not necessarily lacking confidence but rather created fewer chances with opportunities still being wasted, trying hard to avoid penalty shootout for Gunners especially since their squad depth was more solid overall.

[KingsDen]

Arsenal allowed psg influence to get to them they were not confident that they can beat psg that is why after they scored the first goal in the first half they went to defend. Arsenal were very low in morale so psg took advantage of it and start dominating the ball. If arsenal had used the same energy against PSG as they did against bayern munich they could've defeated PSG in the final but they lack confidence and that was why psg defeated them.

This is actually very possible because prior to the game, there was a lot of speculation that PSG has got a better chance and could win the title more than Arsenal does have a chance, they could have had that in mind and it did caused them to be really conservative with their performance especially after they got the early goal, they all fell back to defending and were just too careful hoping  they were going to keep the scoreline that way and get declared winners by the end of 90 minutes.

I remember telling someone that Arsenal lost that final not because they didn't have all it takes to win but because of they had a mentality that was inferior to that of Paris Saint Germaine. They started the game very well before taking the lead through Kai Havertz but immediately the second half kicked off, they decided to pack the bus because they didn't believe they could even score more goals. We saw how Chelsea defeated PSG in the Club World Cup final, they played more offensively even after scoring two goals. If Arsenal continued the second half like they played in the first 30 minutes of the first half, they should've scored another goal and put the game to bed.

[GbitG]

We all know that PSG is the best team in the world right now but I don't see them winning the trophy for the third time in a roll next season and the game they played with Arsenal was a tough one and we all know that penalties are games of luck because it's a 50/50 chances for any team to win so that's the main reason I said they won't win three In a roll as other things can equally hinder them which are injuries, this are setbacks that hinders a good team from winning trophies mostimes, I predicted Arsenal to win but they went to defend instead of coming out to play football.

Arsenal scored early in the game and I was expecting a full attack from them so they can overpower PSG just the way Chelsea in the club world cup finals, but they relaxed and allow PSG to dominate and pressure them into commiting a foul that lead to the penalty that made them equalize, other teams will re- enforce their teams by buying players next season so I don't see them winning it for the third time.

Yeah obviously the match were too tough both side made some extraordinary effort even before the match i posted here that this match will end up as draw because both side are looking super good like their are too opposite with their quality. One have greatest defensive approach despite other have an extraordinary attacking gear. So that's why was I was pretty obvious that match will be end on draw and probably it happens....

Match was really good like Arsenal took the lead first and til end they were try to defend hard but still PSG recognize the scored bord at 1-1. And after that match was reach to penalty shot and unfortunately due Gabriel Arsenal was failed to run in parallel. However next season is there and let's see what happens.

[Popkon6]

I think it is possible that mentally, PSG players are better at penalty shootouts. They won the Champions League trophy last season, and when they faced a deadlock against Arsenal, they eventually managed to equalize. That makes me think the players' mentality is better than Arsenal's players in penalty shootouts.

I agree with your point on this, penalty shootouts, tacticality and attack are the best features of psg but for arsenal they have only defense as their ultimate game play, they are not good at goal scoring and penality shootouts compared to psg. Now that arsenal are in form they need to start working on themselves because if they don't improve they might not have the same opportunity again for the long time.

Every team will improve its performance for the new season. They will come with new strength and new competition as well. Their opponents are also strong European teams, and they are not complacent with their achievements and continue to improve their performance. Arsenal will still be able to compete next season if they remain consistent and improve their performance. Next season, I think it will not be easy for either Arsenal or PSG in the Champions League.

Well I feel it will just be like Evey other champions league, Although there are few clubs that show great potential to shine this new season, like Aston Villa and Bournemouth, that is if they do not sell their star players, the way they closed this past season was so impressive, and I feel with that same performance they have a chance for the champions league trophy chase, not just to play but to chase the trophy

Teams that perform well at the beginning of the season tend to perform very badly at the end of the season. Because they let go of their top stars, which means that even if they survive until the middle of the season, they are later relegated due to their experienced and skilled players. Now it is a pity for Aston Villa and Bournemouth, because even if they survive for the rest of the season, they have to come back at the last minute.
They definitely need suitable and experienced players, then there is a chance of surviving until the end of the season and winning trophies.

[Tamaperdana]

We all know that PSG is the best team in the world right now but I don't see them winning the trophy for the third time in a roll next season and the game they played with Arsenal was a tough one and we all know that penalties are games of luck because it's a 50/50 chances for any team to win so that's the main reason I said they won't win three In a roll as other things can equally hinder them which are injuries, this are setbacks that hinders a good team from winning trophies mostimes, I predicted Arsenal to win but they went to defend instead of coming out to play football.

Arsenal scored early in the game and I was expecting a full attack from them so they can overpower PSG just the way Chelsea in the club world cup finals, but they relaxed and allow PSG to dominate and pressure them into commiting a foul that lead to the penalty that made them equalize, other teams will re- enforce their teams by buying players next season so I don't see them winning it for the third time.

If we refer to your assumption,, I think it makes sense, because it's true that next season, other teams will certainly improve their squads, so they won't just sit back and do nothing. So, it will certainly be a tougher challenge for PSG to become champions in the Champions League. Because, basically, currently, teams like Arsenal, Barcelona,  and Munich will definitely try their best to win the Champions League trophy. Because basically,, these teams are very determined, very good at this time, and their seriousness is very clear.

So, with that, I also seem to agree with this assumption, because initially, I believed PSG would be champions again next season. But after reading your assumption, my thoughts have changed a little and have a different perspective. Because the Champions League is inherently a very competitive competition,, it won't be easy for a team to win three consecutive seasons. Even two consecutive seasons would be incredibly difficult. PSG is currently impressive, having won two editions of the Champions League. But it looks like PSG will struggle to win next season,, so we'll just have to wait and see.