Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea prepare for an unpredictable Champions League

The 2020/21 Champions League group stage begins this week, with question marks on several of the best clubs in Europe. Who could have problems at the beginning and who could surprise? Renuka Odedra takes a look …

Virgil van Dijk’s anterior cruciate ligament injury could derail Liverpool’s defense, which Ajax would be looking to capitalize on. They have managed a single clean sheet this season despite having a strong defense on paper. Still, if they can keep the goals, they are not lacking offensive prowess with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah in good shape.

Frank Lampard has added players with experience in the competition, such as Thiago Silva, who they will count on to stand tall at the rear. Defensive problems remain a recurring theme in the Premier League this year and Chelsea are no different. The Blues have faltered with two 3-3 draws and nine goals conceded in total in the Premier League.

It’s a spooky season and Manchester City need to dust off the cobwebs of the past. They have had a couple of torrid European campaigns, and Pep Guardiola failed to advance with City beyond the quarter-final stage. With a shaky start to the league campaign, injured players could stop the rotation Guardiola needs to bring his team one step closer to that big-eared trophy.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young Manchester United who beat PSG in their memorable round of 16 clash was heroic or, at best, lucky. But this time they won’t have it so easy. The Parisians will be looking to taste revenge after that loss with their main man, Kylian Mbappé, one goal out of 20 in the competition.

United could be in danger of an early exit after being included in the ‘group of death’; yes, it exists every year. Facing PSG, Leipzig and Istanbul, Basaksehi could take its toll on a team that has failed to strengthen its squad over the summer.

Ajax is another team that could fight in their group with Liverpool, Atalanta and Midtjylland. They have lost some key players in a couple of transfer windows, such as Donny van de Beek, Hakim Ziyech and Matthijs de Ligt.

La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid also have work to do ahead of their Champions League qualifiers against Ferencvarosi TC and Shakhtar Donetsk, respectively. Spanish newspapers have not held their tongue as to the form of some players.

Lionel Messi always finds a way to show his talent and sheer brilliance in every Champions League campaign. As an individual, never hesitate to think that he will do well, but as a collective, the pieces of the puzzle just don’t fit in Barcelona. You get the feeling they are taking advantage of their past glories and failures at the top could prove costly on the field.

Juventus do not have their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, isolating himself after testing positive for coronavirus. The empty spotlight could allow players like Paulo Dybala and Álvaro Morata to shine. Meanwhile, it will be a trip to the past in some way for manager Andrea Pirlo. He will be standing next to Mircea Lucescu on the touchline, it being the Kiev coach who gave him his first Serie A debut.

If there’s one team that can show that underdog energy is right and really alive, it could be Atalanta. Rising up the ranks in European competitions and since qualifying for the Champions League for the first time last season, he has been one to watch. Sitting third in Serie A, they have a ton of talent and the drive that every underdog needs.