Europe’s club competition is back on our screens this week, as 32 teams go in search of UEFA Champions League glory.

So on the cusp of the showpiece, lets take a closer look at some of the main contenders for the European Cup, their likely starting XI’s and the men most likely to make the difference.

Juventus

Having dominated Serie A under the tutelage of Antonio Conte, Juventus will be tentatively dipping their toe into a 2014/15 without their former midfielder at the helm. Given the unenviable task of replacing the new Italy boss is Massimiliano Allegri; a choice that wasn’t met with widespread acclaim, it must be said.

But if there’s a criticism of Conte, it’s that his Bianconeri teams never really performed to their best in European competition. Admittedly, they were undone by an excellent Bayern Munich side in the 2013 quarter-finals, but last season saw two-fold disappointment; Juve were knocked out of the competition at the group stages, then lost in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

It’ll be up to Allegri to strike a coveted balance between domestic domination and a much stronger showing on the continent. Juve have the side to do it, and despite lingering summer rumors regarding some vital figures, the Italian champions have preserved one of the strongest cores in the game.

This Bianconeri team is capable of making a long run into this competition. There’s a sense that the while next major European success has been a long time coming—they last sampled Champions League success in 1996—this team has the quality to do it.

Likely XI

Key Man – Paul Pogba

Juventus' Paul Pogba is airborne as he jumps to control the ball

After an astonishing 2013/14 season the French midfielder has been tipped by many to go and become the best central midfield player on the planet. But in truth—even at just 21 years old—Pogba isn’t that far off already.

There are few players in the game capable of marrying poise and power like he does. The Frenchman has developed into a vital figure for the Bianconeri, and with Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal accompanying him in the middle of the mark, Juventus have a stunning array of midfield talent.

After inspiring Juve to a third successive Scudetto and France to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, his next personal goal must be to make an impression amongst Europe’s very best. He’s certainly got all the requisite attributes and if he, Pirlo and Vidal can grasp games in midfield, opposition teams will struggle to accrue any initiative against the Italian champions.

Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final

For Diego Simeone’s side, there was a lingering sense of “now or never” ahead of the 2014 Champions League final. Yes Atletico had been crowned as Spanish champions, but with heavy speculation engulfing the club regarding a host of players leaving, this effervescent, enterprising side looked set to be pulled apart at the seams.

The Rojiblancos came within seconds of completing a miraculous La Liga and European Cup double, but Sergio Ramos netted to break Atletico hearts and they crumbled in extra time. This season, Simeone will be hoping to go one better, but he’ll have to do so without Thibaut Courtois, Diego Costa and Filipe Luis, who all find themselves at Chelsea.

Cholo has spent the money recuperated well—Mario Mandzukic, Guilherme Siqueria and Antoine Griezmann are all excellent additions—but can he fester a team with the same diligence, resilience and will to win as last season’s? Especially in the face of Europe’s big players conducting some astronomical spending during the summer.

Atletico earned a lot of neutral support last season with their narrative-defying displays and although they’ve lost some key men, the spine of this side remains especially strong. The aforementioned trio of signings should all flourish under Simeone’s demanding mantras and with heartache of the Lisbon defeat still pretty raw, Atletico should have the hunger to push close to glory once again.

Likely XI

Key Man – Mario Mandzukic

The loss of Costa was a massive one for the Rojiblancos, but in Mandzukic, Simeone may well have brought in the best replacement possible.

Like Costa, Mandzukic is a supreme target man that works incredibly hard for the cause. He’s physical, he’s industrious and he’s especially adept at bringing other players into the game. The Croatian has also shown himself to be exceptionally well disciplined; if Simeone asks him to stick to a deep-lying playmaker, Mandzukic will conduct the job with distinction.

His stellar application and the creativity behind him will yield a host of chances for the former Bayern Munich man, and as the new leader of this Atletico attack, the onus will be on him to score the goals to spearhead many more glorious days for the Madrid outfit.

Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti was the man that finally delivered the much sought after tenth European title for Real Madrid, and it was made all the more satisfying after beating city rivals Atletico 4-1 after extra time in the final.

But after spending big once again this summer—Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez are major acquisitions—there’ll be much expected of this team, as the Italian plots to make history by leading a team to retain the trophy it its current format.

After a flurry of summer activity at the Santiago Bernabeu, there are some underpinning concerns. The sales of Xabi Alonso—the unshakeable metronome behind Los Blancos’ recent successes—and Angel di Maria—a player who was critical in Madrid’s switch to a 4-3-3 system—leave big voids in this side. And as is often the case for Real, the squad looks well overbalanced with attacking players.

But when you add the aforementioned Rodriguez to Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, you have a formidable attacking quartet; one that’d be capable of outscoring any side on the planet in a stretched, open game.

So expect fireworks aplenty from Ancelotti’s team, as Madrid look to go about making yet another piece of history. The losses of both Alonso and Di Maria will be tough to compensate for, but with the four-pronged offensive line, it’s difficult to see any team in the tournament shutting them down for any kind of sustained spell.

Likely XI

Key Man – Cristiano Ronaldo

The man at the forefront of the tenth European Cup win was Ronaldo, and he smashed the record for the most goals in a single Champions League season, notching a whopping 17 times throughout the group and knockout phases.

Even as Ronaldo approaches 30 years age, there’s been absolutely nothing to suggest he’s going to slow down any time soon. He’s still supremely dynamic, blisteringly quick and clinical in front of goal; if anything, the arrival of Bale last season seemed to spur the Portuguese forward onto stratospheric new heights.

Despite the influx of wonderful young talent, this team remains tailored towards Ronaldo. He’s still capable of making mincemeat of defenders and on his day, can easily drag Madrid over the line single handedly. He’s the man that can inspire Los Blancos onwards to back-to-back victories.

Liverpool

Those European nights at Anfield are back again this season, as Liverpool return to Europe’s premier club competition after a five-year hiatus.

Fueled by the sale of their talisman Luis Suarez, Brendan Rodgers has built an excellent young squad that seems primed to excel on the European stage. Early in the campaign we’ve already glimpses of these players blossoming and adapting to the manager’s mantras; if they can take that kind of form into the Champions League, Liverpool have the potential to go far in this competition.

It’ll be ten years since the Reds famously lifted this trophy for the fifth time in Istanbul but the time this season’s final comes around, and although European glory might be beyond this group for now, the experience of playing at Anfield in front of the decorated Kop and at venues like the Bernabeu will be vital for the development of this team.

But you never know with Liverpool, such is their European pedigree. A very favorable draw means they should waltz through the group, and as we’ve seen time and time again in this competition, anything is possible in the knock-out stages. Perhaps these players can make the Anfield faithful dream again?

Likely XI

Key Man – Raheem Sterling

Long considered a typical winger—all pace, no penetration—Raheem Sterling is beginning to showcase just what a balanced player he is.

Having been deployed at the tip of a diamond midfield for Liverpool’s stunning Premier League run-in, the former QPR man look revitalized as a player. His scintillating runs from deep were a hallmark of Liverpool’s ferocious openings to games and his final ball evolved into something measured and impactful.

Still just a 19-year-old, the England man has carried that excellent form into this season, and quickly he’s becoming a vital figure in Rodgers’ versatile tactical deployments. To see how he performs in the Champions League is a tantalizing prospect.

Zenit St Petersburg

While they haven’t typically asserted themselves in Europe’s top tier competition, there’s plenty to like about this Zenit St. Petersburg team.

Having recruited the services of Andre Villas-Boas, beefed up the midfield and defense with the signings of Ezequiel Garay and Javi Garcia, and subsequently started the domestic campaign well—six wins from six at the time of writing—perhaps the Russians can finally make an impression amidst European football’s high rollers.

A glance at their starting XI and indeed, their squad as a whole, suggests that they should be able to. And having avoided one of the premier sides from Pot 1 in this year’s draw, AVB will fancy his chances of steering this team to the last-16 and possibly beyond.

If they make it there, who knows what this side could be capable of? Players like Hulk and Danny can be hugely frustrating, but if they’re galvanized by the bright lights of the Champions League knockout stages, then they have the quality to hurt the best of sides.

Likely XI

Key Player – Axel Witsel

The Belgian is the man tasked with protecting the back-four while Zenit’s precocious forward players go about their business, and as Villas-Boas’ side tackle teams that are technical and tenacious in the middle of the park, Witsel must be at his very best to add some vital cohesiveness to this team.

After bringing in Javi Garcia, he’s set to get a bit more assistance defensively this season too. Hopefully, that’ll allow Witsel to showcase some of his attacking talents; he is very adept and bursting forward with the ball and committing opposition defenders when given the chance.

A multi-faceted midfield player, Witsel is the nexus of this side. He links it all together for the Russians and his performances must be decisive if the Zenitchiki are to make a sustained run in the competition.

Borussia Dortmund

After reaching the Champions League final in 2013, for Dortmund, the preceding campaign was always going to be a difficult one. The loss of Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich hit the club hard, and while they spent the money from his sale well, an injury crisis of extraordinary proportions sapped the life out of their early season exploits in 2013/14.

They were still able to progress through to the last-eight of the Champions League though, were a spirited showing in front of a raucous Westfalendstadion crowd saw them come perilously close to dumping out the eventual winners Real Madrid.

Ahead of this season’s tournament Jurgen Klopp has a squad that is in much better shape than 12 months before, but it remains to be seen how the loss of their goal-getter Robert Lewandowski—again, to Bayern Munich—will effect this team in the long run. Adrian Ramos, Shinji Kagawa and Ciro Immobile have been brought in to fill that void, while Marco Reus will typically be an ever-present threat.

The nexus of this side have been together for a while now, and those who back Die Borussen will be hoping this squad will be stronger for the low moments they suffered throughout the last campaign. Plus, BVB still press with a magnificent intensity, they still have massive quality in their ranks and they still have the effervescent Klopp at the forefront of their charge.

Likely XI

Key Man – Marco Reus

Hamburger SV v Borussia Dortmund - LIGA total! Cup 2012 Semi Final

The gifted forward missed the World Cup with an ankle injury, and after suffering a similar knock against Scotland while on international duty, he looks set to miss the earliest of Dortmund’s group stage clashes. But when he returns, this side becomes a much more formidable opponent.

Shifted to a central position towards the end of last season, Reus excelled. Playing Lewandowski he had a lot more freedom and took on a much more significant portion of BVB’s creative burden. His late bursts from deep are extremely elusive, and typically when he gets into dangerous positions, his final contributions are both considered and meaningful.

With Lewandowski gone, the Yellow Wall will be hoping Reus can emerge as this team’s talisman once he returns from his injury layoff and relish in the added responsibility that Klopp looks set to afford him this season.

Arsenal

Another year, another loss to a European juggernaut. Arsene Wenger will be sick of the sight of Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who have knocked his side out of this competition in the knock-out rounds for the last few years. Tough draws, of course, but isn’t it time the Gunners started going head-to-head with these teams and emerging on top?

The supporters will certainly be hoping so, and after splashing big money last summer on Mesut Ozil and another massive amount on Alexis Sanchez during the window just gone, the quality is definitely there for Wenger to utilize.

There were glimmers during last season’s campaign that this side are beginning to grow as a force in Europe. Their performance to beat Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion—a team they’ll face again in the group stages this year—was superb, and the manner in which the likes of Aaron Ramsey seemed to adapt to the requisite demands of the Champions League was encouraging.

But of all the obstacles Arsenal must overcome to make a late run into this tournament, you suspect the most significant one is a mental issue. Wenger has the squad to compete with the very best clubs on the continent at this juncture, and if the Gunners fail to make it past the last-16 once again, then questions will surely be asked.

Likely XI

Key Man – Aaron Ramsey

The Welshman’s stunning renaissance during the early stages of last season was something that’s rarely been witnessed in the Premier League. He shrugged off his tag of much-maligned midfielder man to become one of the most well-balanced players in England’s top flight.

His array of qualities are pretty startling, all things considered. Ramsey is a wonderful passer of the ball, he’s industrious, he’s tenacious and he’s developed a Frank Lampard-like knack of arriving late into the box and finishing with distinction.

He’ll play as an orthodox central midfield man for this team, and Wenger will be looking to him to knit this side together. Ramsey missed much of the latter stages of last season through injury, including Arsenal’s Champions League double-header with the then holders. Fitness permitting, perhaps he’ll be the man to galvanize a much more pertinent charge from the Gunners this time round.

Bayern Munich

After looking imperious for long spells of last season, things began to unravel for Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola’s side were hammered 5-0 on aggregate by the eventual champions; his tiki-taka philosophy was pulled apart by brutal, forensic counter-attacking football.

Perhaps Bayern were a victim of their own success? The lack of a significant challenger for the title meant they could take their foot off the gas in the Bundesliga, and maybe some complacency did creep in to a group of players that had conquered all before them but 12 months previous.

This time round, they’ll be desperate to regain the European Cup, and having strengthened his squad with the additions of Xabi Alonso, Robert Lewandowski and Mehdi Benatia, this group looks incredibly well equipped for the challenges that lie ahead.

For Guardiola, the pressure will be on to win this tournament this time round. Yes he sampled a league and cup double during his maiden campaign in charge, but such is the calibre of the Bavarian’s squad, that is to be expected. Ultimately, he’ll be judged on his displays in the Champions League, and you wonder if anything less than victory will be good enough.

One thing’s for certain though, Guardiola is a man that has the acumen and the players to bring Bayern their sixth European Cup triumph.

Likely XI

Key Man – Xabi Alonso

Guardiola regularly tinkered with his choice of personnel in the deep-lying playmaker position during his first season at the club, and while Philipp Lahm was excellent in that role, in Alonso you suspect he has his first choice for the upcoming campaign.

Even at 32-years-old, the acquisition of the Spanish international represents excellent business for Die Bayern. Not only is Alonso is a supreme passer of the ball, but his defensive work is something that regularly goes unnoticed; he’ll add both steel and style to Bayern’s cause.

The former Madrid man will slot straight into the philosophy that Guardiola is trying to instill, and by getting him on board, Bayern have another player that has that experience of winning the biggest competitions in the game. Alonso will show he still has plenty to offer this season, and you suspect Madrid’s loss will prove to be a massive gain for the German Champions’ cause.

Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini guided City to the last-16 of the Champions League at the first attempt following two years of group stage failure under Roberto Mancini. But their performances against Barcelona in the knockout stages—games were City recoiled away from their attacking mantras—suggest there is still plenty for this group to learn when it comes to mixing it with Europe’s elite.

But we’ll certainly get an insight into just how much they learned from their exploits last season; they will face Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow in the groups stages for the second consecutive year.

During the summer, Pellegrini beefed up the defensive side of his team with the signings of Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala, and it’ll be interesting to see just how he sets up away at tough venues in Munich, Moscow and Rome. It’s a very tough group for City to negotiate, and it’s vital they get points on the road.

But they won at the Allianz Arena last season, and that should breath plenty of confidence into this squad. If lessons have been learned from the previous three European campaigns, then City have what it takes to emerge as a genuine contender for the trophy.

Likely XI

Key Man – Vincent Kompany

While the forward bursts of Yaya Toure and the majestic intricacy of David Silva regularly catch the eye for Manchester City, it’s the skipper Vincent Kompany who remains the most vital man in Pellegrini’s set-up.

When the Belgian international plays City look forceful, organized and aggressive in their defensive duties. But without Kompany marshaling the back four, teams have shown that this Citizens team can be gotten at.

It’s vital that Kompany shakes off the injury problems that punctures his campaign last season and really leads by example in this European campaign. If City are to go far in this competition, you can’t help but feel that his incomparable leadership and fine defending will play a critical role.

Paris Saint-Germain

The French champions progresses all the way to the quarter-finals of this competition last season and were within seconds of making it through to the semi-final shake-up. But a late Demba Ba goal at Stamford Bridge dumped them out, and the Parisian big-spenders had to make do with the French title come the end of the campaign.

But this is a team that looks to be finding its feet in Europe. They were much improved away from home in the competition last season, and when facing opponents at the Parc des Princes, PSG showcased a maturity in their play, one that allowed them to attack with vigor and defend resolutely.

Whether that’ll change with the erratic David Luiz brought in to play in the back-line remains to be seen, but all-in-all, Laurent Blanc has a formidable first XI and myriad classy replacements to call upon from the bench.

PSG began their domestic campaign in stuttering fashion, but after a few weeks of chopping and changing, this team look as though they’re beginning to click into gear. But you suspect for Blanc, it’s imperative that this side secures a semi-final berth at the very worst this season.

Likely XI

Key Man – Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Paris Saint-Germain FC v FC Porto - UEFA Champions League

It’s no coincidence that Zlatan was the man to turn PSG’s domestic fortunes around; returning to the team in Week 4 and hammering in a hat-trick against Saint Etienne to inspire the Ligue 1 holders to a 5-0 win.

Now he’ll be looking to do exactly the same thing in the Champions League, where he’ll face some familiar foes when the Parisians tackle Barcelona and Ajax in the group stage. Never one to shirk a challenge, expect the Swede to be at his very best in those particular clashes.

While Ibrahimovic has sampled domestic success across the continent, he’s never won the Champions League during his trophy-laden career. Spearheading a fine PSG side and approaching the age of 33, he’ll be acutely aware that this season’s tournament could be one of his last realistic chances to do so.

Barcelona

Finishing a season trophy-less is never acceptable for a club like Barcelona, and former boss Tata Martino learned that lesson swiftly, as he was relieved of his duties by the board and replaced by former Blaugrana midfielder Luis Enrique.

While there are plenty of managers in the world who’ll envy the squad the former Celta boss has inherited—fitting Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar into the same time can’t be too testing, can it?—there’s plenty of work to be done at the Camp Nou.

A host of key players are entering the twilight of their career and aside from Suarez, there are myriad signings that Enrique will be expected to integrate into the squad. In addition, the new boss will look to take Barcelona back to their roots; he favors a style of football that’s intense, that’s dynamic and that’s founded on astute pressing of the opponents.

He’ll also be tasked with getting the absolute best from Messi, who by his astronomically high standards, endured a pretty frustrating 2013/14. The early indications are that the Argentine has bought into the principles instilled by Enrique, but can the former Cule get the same level out of the Barcelona No.10 when throwing a Brazilian and a Uruguayan into the pot too?

If the answer is yes, Barca have as good a chance as any side of winning this coveted prize.

Likely XI

Key Man – Lionel Messi

There’s not much to say about Messi that hasn’t already been written and although the spotlight on the diminutive genius rarely wavers, the focus on him this season and how he fits into a side with Neymar and Suarez, will be especially intense.

But there’s no denying that the player named the best at the 2014 World Cup remains the main man at the Nou Camp. If he still feels at his most effective in the false-nine berth, then he’ll continue to play there. If he wants to go back to a role on the right-wing, then Enrique will accommodate his genius accordingly.

For Barcelona, a happy Messi and a prolific Messi is absolutely vital. If he put fitness concerns behind him and subsequently rediscover his very best form under Enrique—and the early signs look promising—then he’s capable of dragging Barcelona to glory.

Chelsea

After steering a Chelsea team to the semi-finals of this competition with a team that was all but inherited, Jose Mourinho will be looking to go one better with this squad. A squad which has a much clearer Mourinho mark on it.

The signings of Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Loic Remy and Cesc Fabregas make this team a much more fearsome opponent, and when you consider the depth available to the Chelsea boss in pretty much every area of the pitch, they look primed for an exceptionally strong run in this competition.

The Portuguese boss has already lifted two European Cups in his distinguished managerial career, but you suspect being crowned as kings of Europe with Chelsea would top his previous triumphs with both Porto and Internazionale. And when you run the rule over the stellar cast of names that he’s assembled for the 2014/15 campaign, they’re certainly one of the favorites.

This is an adaptable, hard-working and experienced group. And with Mourinho at the helm—a man that’s showcased an incomparable know-how when it comes to big games—Chelsea could be the team to beat in this year’s tournament.

Likely XI

Key Man – Nemanja Matic

After being signed from Benfica during the 2014 January transfer window, Matic was unable to feature in Chelsea’s run to the semi-finals last season. But you have to wonder if things may have been different had the Serbian been permitted to play.

There were plenty that questioned the motives behind splashing out £23 million on the Serbian international—especially when the Blues allowed him to move to Benfica as part of the signing of David Luiz—but those queries have been dispelled by some monstrous display’s at the heart of the Chelsea midfield.

Being left-footed he affords this team a wonderful balance in the middle of the pitch, and his defensive instincts, dominating somatotype and unyielding industry have made him a key figure in Mourinho’s set up. With Matic free to play this time round, Chelsea have a wonderful chance of lifting their second European Cup.

Matt Jones

latest articles by Matt Jones