Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Champions League, Liverpool, Atalanta, Arne Slot, Real Madrid
Tom Jenkins
Topics: Champions League, Liverpool, Atalanta, Arne Slot, Real Madrid
Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has tipped a shock club to rival Liverpool for this year's Champions League title.
Liverpool's 2-1 victory against Lille at Anfield on Tuesday booked Arne Slot side's place in the next round of the competition as they sit top of the new league table.
The Reds have a won every game in the Champions League so far this season, and will finish with a 100% record if they beat PSV in the Netherlands next week.
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Slot's side might be licking their lips when looking at the other top sides in contention, with pre-season favourites Real Madrid sitting 22nd and Man City also down in 24th ahead of their clash with PSG.
Former Germany star Ballack believes the Anfield side have a great opportunity to grab the trophy for the 7th time.
"Judging by their performances so far, Real Madrid are not my top favourite," the former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Germany midfielder said via Sport Bild
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"That would be Liverpool, who are currently dominating the Champions League.
"I was positively surprised by how Arne Slot managed the transition after the Jurgen Klopp era came to an end.
"It is always twice as difficult when you follow greats like Klopp or somebody like Jose Mourinho at my former club Chelsea, who achieved something unique," he added.
However, the 48-year-old believes one club are the 'secret favourites' and could shock the world and beat Liverpool to the win the competition.
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"I see Atalanta as the secret favourite. They have a clear plan offensively and defensively and dominated Bayer Leverkusen in last year’s Europa League final," Ballack explained.
Atalanta are currently fourth in the Champions League league faze, with just one loss to Real Madrid on their record to date.
The Italian side ran away 5-0 winners on Tuesday against Sturm and sit third in Serie A, seven points behind league leaders Napoli.
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The form of former Everton and Fulham star Ademola Lookman has also played a major factor this season, with the Europa League hero picking up where he left off last season.
Lookman was named African player of the year for 2024 and has 10 goals in 16 starts in Serie A to date.