As we approach the business end of the 2024/25 Champions League group stages, the tournament has already delivered a feast of thrilling encounters and unforgettable moments that have made the sports betting even more interesting.
From high-scoring spectacles to defensive masterclasses, Europe’s elite competition has once again captured the imagination of fans around the world. Goals have flowed freely, with teams pushing boundaries in search of the Allianz Arena for the final come May, and the quality of football on display has been nothing short of spectacular.
This season has also marked a significant shift in the competition’s structure. The introduction of a Swiss-style format, replacing the traditional group stage, has added a fresh layer of unpredictability.
With each team now facing eight different opponents in the league phase, the variety of matches has created intriguing clashes of styles, bringing tactical nuances to the forefront.
As a byproduct of this change, teams have had to adapt to the increased demands of more games against diverse opponents, leading to an evolution in tactical approaches across the competition.
In this article, we take a look at some of the key tactical takeaways from the first few games of the new Champions League format – assessing where teams have played well and what will need to be improved come the knockout rounds for the best in the continent.
Barcelona’s high-pressing revolution
Barcelona’s resurgence under Hansi Flick has been one of the stories of the season. The German’s tactical blueprint revolves around high, continuous pressing to regain possession in advanced areas and launch swift counterattacks.
By integrating La Masia talents like Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal alongside experienced stars such as Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona have found a balance between youth and experience.
These adjustments have been rewarded, with the team securing emphatic victories over Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade. Flick’s approach not only emphasises the intensity he perhaps lacked in the German National team, but adds more creativity, giving Barcelona a platform to dominate games while providing their young stars with an opportunity to shine on the grandest stage.
Sporting’s adaptability in the Amorim era
Sporting Lisbon have been one of the season’s surprise packages before manager Ruben Amorim departed for Manchester United in November. Their 4-1 dismantling of Manchester City in the Portuguese coach’s final home game showcased a pragmatic approach, with the team shifting to a back five for much of the game to nullify City’s relentless possession play.
This defensive solidity in a back three, coupled with their quick transitions, allowed them to exploit spaces left by Guardiola’s side.
While used to dominating in the Portuguese league, Sporting demonstrated how they can adjust against Europe’s elite, making them a formidable opponent in the competition’s early weeks, with Joao Pereira now in the dugout at the time of writing.
Italian steel: Inter and AC Milan
Inter Milan, fresh off their Serie A triumph, have carried their defensive solidity into Europe under Simone Inzaghi.
I Nerazzurri’s 3-5-2 formation relies on a compact backline, dynamic wingbacks, and the movement of strikers like Lautaro Martínez. Inter’s ability to adapt to different opponents has been key, allowing them to control games against tough opponents including Premier League duo City and Arsenal.
Across town, AC Milan have embraced a new approach under Paulo Fonseca. Despite suffering an underwhelming defeat to Liverpool at the San Siro, they bounced back with an impressive win over Real Madrid.
Milan’s tactics focus on central overloads, using quick, short passes and diagonal runs from strikers and wingers. Players like Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders have been instrumental in their attacking build-up, highlighting a philosophy centred on creating opportunities through precision and movement.