Real Madrid and Barcelona no longer favorites for the Champions League

Barcelona and Real Madrid are declining and are no longer considered to be favorites for the champions league. This is a surprising development for the two teams who have won 6 champions League titles between each other in this decade. Moreover, both the teams have made poor signings and failed to replace their best players.

What is the reason for the decline?

Real Madrid are still a very good team but lack a match winner. Their main mistake was to sell Ronaldo as he is impossible to replace. Moreover, they brought Hazard and Jovic, both of whom are huge flops and are barely playing a game. Zidane has his task cut out but is doing a good job so far in getting them back to the top. However, the champions league looks beyond them this season with Bayern and Liverpool looking way better.

Barcelona are in crisis mode at the moment with presidential election looming. They have been in decline ever since Neymar left and are only challenging thanks to Messi. But, even he couldn’t do anything as Barca have been humiliated in the past three seasons by Roma, Liverpool and Bayern. Furthermore, this does look like Messi’s last shot at winning champions league for Barca before he leaves for another club.

Meanwhile, Bayern and Liverpool have pushed down Barca and Madrid down the pecking order. This has happened due to both the teams focusing on the system instead of depending on one superstar. Despite this, Madrid are still within a chance due to Zidane’s reputation in this competition and Barca due to Messi’s match winning performances.

Also read: Zlatan ageing like a fine wine for AC Milan