The Champions League is no stranger to teams punching above their weight. There are underdogs every year that make it to the knockout rounds despite the odds stacked against them. And here are the teams that are creating such status for themselves this year.
5. Benfica
Benfica are currently in third place in their group, behind Barcelona. The Portuguese team needs to win both their remaining games against Barcelona and Dynamo Kyiv to qualify for the Round of 16 and dump Barcelona out. They have already defeated the Blaugrana 3-0 in the group stage and will have to repeat the result to make it through.
4. Villarreal
The Europa League winners are second in their group behind Manchester United, although level on points. They face the daunting task of hosting Manchester United and travelling to Atalanta to earn their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
3. Ajax
Ten Hag is working wonders at Ajax:
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 3, 2021
◾️ His 2019 team got dismantled
◾️ Both CBs under 6 foot
◾️ GK turns 38 in a week
◾️ 'Finished' striker leading goal scorer in UCL
◾️ No club has created more chances in UCL
◾️ Through to UCL KO stage with 100% record
◾️ Playing total football pic.twitter.com/KzMllQ3dFj
Ajax’s 2018/19 performance in the Champions League is still fresh in the minds of football fans. And this year, it seems like they are set to mount a similar challenge. They have already qualified for the knockout stages by winning their first four games in the competition.
2. FC Porto
The Portuguese club were slotted in the group of death including Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and AC Milan. They are second behind Liverpool and ahead of Atletico Madrid in third. They will face both these teams in their remaining games if they are to earn a qualifying spot.
1. Sheriff Tiraspol
The first-ever Moldovan team to play in the Champions League, Sheriff Tiraspol have overcome Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid in the group stages. They will face the 13-time Champions League winners and Shakhtar Donetsk once again in the final two games of the group stage to potentially make it to the next stage of the competition.
