PSG Aims for Historic Third Consecutive Champions League Title

The new UEFA Champions League season kicks off this week, with Paris Saint-Germain looking to join an elite group of clubs that have won the tournament three times in a row.

PSG successfully defended their crown last season by beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest, holding onto the trophy they claimed for the first time just a year earlier. This back-to-back victory places them among the competition’s greatest teams, a feat only previously matched by Real Madrid since the modern Champions League began in 1992.

Winning a third straight title would take them into rarefied territory. Real Madrid managed three consecutive wins under Zinedine Zidane from 2016 to 2018. Before them, Ajax (1971-73) and Bayern Munich (1974-76) were the only other clubs to pull off this streak, while Madrid also won the first five European Cups from 1956 to 1960.

“Our objectives are clear. I want to win important trophies, and there are none more important than the Champions League,”said coach Luis Enrique, who also led Barcelona to glory in 2015.

The French side’s back-to-back titles have coincided with the new Champions League format, featuring 36 teams in the league phase, each playing eight matches against different opponents.

Despite their success, PSG struggled in the league phase the past two seasons, finishing outside the top eight and needing to pass a play-off round to reach the last 16. Tough draws played a part in that, and this year they face familiar rivals including Manchester City, Barcelona, and Aston Villa.

The dominance of Europe’s super clubs is clear, making it hard to imagine a surprise winner this season.

Arsenal Looks to Take Next Step

England’s Premier League remains financially dominant, with all its clubs expected to contend. Arsenal stands out after losing in the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final over the last three years, making a deep run this season the logical next step for manager Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners topped the league phase last year with a perfect record but face a challenging start with an away game at Napoli.

• English Clubs Involved: Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Arsenal
• Other Strong Teams: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid (coached by José Mourinho), Barcelona

While these clubs dominate the conversation, Inter Milan could influence the race, and Atletico Madrid will be eager to reach a final hosted in their own stadium.

New Faces and Debutants

Only Porto in 2004 has won the Champions League from outside Spain, England, Germany, Italy, or France in the last 30 years. This season brings fresh entrants, such as Como, who finished fourth in Serie A last year under Cesc Fabregas, qualifying ahead of giants AC Milan and Juventus.

Viking Stavanger enters the Champions League proper for the first time after claiming their first Norwegian title in 34 years.

Sabah, Azerbaijan’s champions, begin their campaign with a trip to Old Trafford. Their manager Valdas Dambrauskas once funded his coaching career through winnings on a Lithuanian quiz show. He said in an interview,

“Since I was 12, when I realised I would not be a professional player, I knew I wanted to be a football coach. I cannot guess what would have happened without this game, but I believe I would have found a way to achieve my dream.”

Though Sabah might not advance beyond the league phase—unlike compatriots Qarabag who did last season—the financial reward is significant. Simply reaching the league stage earns a club nearly €20 million (about US$23.2 million), vital income for teams from smaller leagues.

The Champions League winners take home roughly €90 million in prize money before adding millions more from television rights. It is estimated that PSG earned around €150 million for each of their last two triumphs.