Two Long-shot Bets to Win the Champions League in 2025
Recent UEFA Champions League campaigns have all been dominated by the usual suspects. Real Madrid reigned supreme last term, bagging a record-extending 15th crown and their sixth of the last decade by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley. The year before it was Manchester City who knocked off Inter Milan in Istanbul, with Rodri bagging the only goal of the game.
But while it has been heavy hitters that have managed to secure the famous Big-Eared trophy in recent years, underdogs have thrilled everyone on their way to the final Neither the aforementioned Dortmund nor Inter were expected to go as far as they did. Looking even further back, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid have both reached the final in the last ten years.
So, with a history of underdogs thriving and reaching the latter stages, could one actually go all the way next season and win it all? And if so, will it be one of these two? If you ask us, they are the most likely.
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen has often lingered in the shadows of Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, but recent seasons have seen the club make significant strides. Under manager, Xabi Alonso Die Werkself romped to their first-ever Meisterschale last term, and they did so without losing a single game, the first German team to ever complete that feat. If that wasn't enough, they also won the DFB Pokal and reached the Europa League final, where they were beaten by Atalanta in their only defeat of the campaign.
Their Spanish boss has developed a distinctive attacking style that combines flair with tactical discipline. He turned down moves to both Liverpool and Bayern in the summer, opting to remain at the BayArena and continue what he has already started.
Central to their resurgence is the emergence of Florian Wirtz, a prodigious talent who has already drawn comparisons to German legends like Michael Ballack. His creativity and vision are complemented by the attacking prowess of forward Victor Boniface, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last term following a big-money move from Union Saint-Gilloise and netted an impressive 21 goals in 34 appearances.
Alonso's tactical acumen cannot be overstated. His ability to adapt his strategies based on the opponent has turned Leverkusen into a formidable force. The team’s high-pressing game and quick transitions can disrupt even the most organized defenses, while his ability to bring his wing backs into play has been crucial to his success.
Both Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong were two of the best players in the Bundesliga last term and defences all across Europe will be fearing them ahead of next season.
The latest sports gambling odds make Bayer Leverkusen a +2000 contender for the title next term. If they can perform to the level they did last season, there's no reason to think they won't go far once more.
Atletico Madrid
When discussing long shots, it’s impossible to overlook Atletico Madrid. Los Rojiblancos reached two finals in three seasons in 2014 and 2016 but lost on both occasions to cross-city rivals Real, much to the dismay of their famously raucous supporters. Diego Simeone’s tenure at the club has been marked by resilience, tenacity, and a knack for upsetting the odds.
When the maverick Argentine took over the club 11 years ago, they were an average mid-table side. However in the years since they have emerged as a genuine force, twice winning La Liga despite having a shoestring budget in comparison to Los Blancos and Barcelona. Though they haven’t won the Champions League under Simeone, Atleti have consistently demonstrated that they can compete with Europe’s elite.
Heading into the new campaign, the Spanish capital club is looking to build upon their more possession-based style compared to the tenacious one they used to implement. Much of their success is built around French striker Antoine Griezmann, who has dropped into a deeper role in recent times and looks to orchestrate play rather than scoring goals himself. The aim is to get him on the ball and have him feed strikers Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay and Angel Correa.
Simeone’s teams are renowned for their solid defensive discipline, and even though they are a more attack-minded team in recent seasons, their staunch backline remains. A well-drilled defence featuring stalwarts like Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic, coupled with the ever-reliable Jan Oblak in goal, ensures that Atletico can suffocate even the most potent attacking units.
In midfield, Koke remains Mr. Atletico Madrd. The 32-year-old is the definition of a one-club man and he has been with Los Rojiblancos since he was just eight years of age. Since he made his debut, he has gone on to rack up a mighty 637 appearances, and he would love to secure the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club's history before his career winds to a close. We wouldn't be surprised if they achieved it next term, despite what other bettors may say.