New Delhi: The 2023/24 season saw a surprising surge of top performances from unexpected clubs, with many ‘underdogs’ taking the charge and clinching the European spot in their respective leagues. This year’s European competitions will bring an interesting twist as the newcomers will be looking to make an early impression . These teams will be making their first ever appearance in UEFA Champions League after having stellar 2023-24 league campaigns.
In the previous campaign, we witnessed Union Berlin making their first ever appearance in the Champions League after a wonderful Bundesliga campaign. However, the German underdogs failed to make an impact as they finished last in their group with just two points, as they exited the competition early. In recent memory, Leicester city had a brilliant Champions Legaue campaign as they managed to top their group and managed to reach the quarter finals of the competition.
However, this season we have certain teams who will be making their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League as we witnessed a lot of underdogs doing well in their respective leagues to clinch the Champions League spot.
Aston Villa
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 08: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring their sides second goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on April 08, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
The Villains had a wonderful 2023-24 premier league campaign under Unai Emery, as they managed to finish 4th and book their ticket for this season’s Champions Legaue. Villa have had a wonderful transformation ever since Unai Emery too the charge. Aston Villa have never participated in Europe’s premier club competition since it was renamed the Champions League in 1992 as they look to compete in the competition for the first time in 2024–2025. Nonetheless, they have participated in the previous European Cup, which they notably won in 1982. The Villains defeated Bayern Munich in the final to win the ultimate club trophy in Rotterdam.
Unai Emery guided this Villa side well as they had a few major statement wins throughout the premier league campaign. As they prepare for this season’s champions league, the fans will have high expectations from this Villa side. They have a manager who has managed a champions league side in the past and he will be looking to make an impact this season.
Girona
GIRONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 03: Valery Fernandez of Girona FC celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Atletico Madrid at Montilivi Stadium on January 03, 2024 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
One of the biggest surprises from last season’s Laliga campaign was Girona’s first half dominance in the league. They sat top for majority of the season, with an impressive run of form where many thought that Girona might do the unthinkable and win the 2023-24 Laliga campaign. However, it didn’t quite go that way as Real Madrid, later overtook them to break the Girona hearts as they lifted the title. Nevertheless, Girona had a brilliant campaign, finishing third for the very first time in their history. This also meant that they will be playing in the champions league for the very first time in their history.
The Girona side looked confident throughout the Laliga campaign and they will be looking to show the same amount of tenacity and determination in the champions league. However, it might be a tough season as they will be missing few of their main men from the previous campaign as Savio left for Manchestr City and their top scorer, Artem Dobvyk is also having talks with Atletico Madrid.
Brest
LYON, FRANCE – APRIL 14: Romain Del Castillo of Brest (C) celebrating his goal with his teammates during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Stade Brestois 29 at Groupama Stadium on April 14, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Brest had a great Ligue 1 season, finishing 3rd in the league which means they will be making their debut in the UEFA champions league. This came up as a major surprise as Brest got promoted to the French top flight football in the 2019-20 season and ever since, they spent majority of their campaigns battling relegation. However, they had a great run in the French league last season where they managed to up their game and get their best ever finish in their history. The Pirates managed to get their best ever points tally with 61 points on the table, finishing third, behind AS Monaco.
With just 20 points from their first 25 games, Brest looked set for relegation after Roy’s first two months in command saw them win just one league game. Indeed, it was the worst Ligue 1 season opener for them in more than 30 years. After a resilient league campaign, Brest will be looking to perform in the champions league now.
Bologna
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 23: The players of Bologna FC celebrate victory as they pose for a team photo following the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and Atalanta BC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on December 23, 2023 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bologna will be taking part in their first ever champions league campaign after a stellar Serie A season. Thiago Motta turned out to be the perfect manager for the La Grassa as he took thm to a fifth place finish leading the side to a champions league qualification. Bologna showed signs of improvement in the 2022-23 season, where they just made it into the top half of the table finishing 9th, after a few disappointing campaigns where they were either survived relegation or finished in the lower half. It was a monumental achievement for Bologna as they recovered from this to finish the season clinching the champions league spot.
They will be looking to perform in their first champions league campaign. However, their biggest concern would be the departure of their coach, Thiago Motta, who joined Juventus this a couple of months back. Besides, they’ll also be missing the presence of their star performer Joshua Zirkzee as he made his move to Manchester United.
This year’s UEFA Champions League would produce some new faces and certain underdogs who will be looking to make an impact. Let’s have a look at this year’s champions league debutants. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
