REAL MADRID
For only the third time in the current iteration of the Champions League (dating from 2003-04), Real proved pitch perfect in the group stage, winning all six of their matches in a pool that comprised Italian champions Napoli, Portuguese upstarts Braga and German surprise packages Union Berlin. Not that Los Blancos will have any grounds for complacency. On the two other occasions when they gained maximum points (2011-12 and 2014-15), first round full houses did not translate into silverware, beaten at the semi-final stage by Bayern Munich and Juventus respectively. Should Real collect their 15th Champions League crown, coach Carlo Ancelotti will deserve a substantial bonus. ACL injuries to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-backs Eder Militao and David Alaba have stripped bare the team’s defensive options and the Italian will have to be at his most ingenious to plug the gaps. Heaven forbid anything untoward should happen to goalscoring tyros Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, where finding adequate replacements would prove far more difficult.
RB LEIPZIG
Undoubtedly aided by a favourable draw – giving them the opportunity to devour the limited Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys – Leipzig had no problem qualifying as Group G runners-up behind runaway table-toppers Manchester City.
This story is from the March 2024 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2024 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
