The 2024–25 UEFA Champions League season changed the entire dimension of European football into an era full of drama, innovation, and from where Paris Saint-Germain(PSG) entered into the history books as its first-ever champions. This article recap picks up the tournament throughout, top moments, players, results, and how gamers engaged themselves on 96.com during this thrilling league competition.
A Rich History and the Evolution of the Champions League
The UEFA Champions League began in 1955 as the European Cup and transitioned into its modern format in 1992. It is arguably the most prestigious contest undertaken by clubs, standing as the continent’s qualification where Europe’s best teams meet to contest continental glory.
The 2024–25 season saw the advent of the Swiss model format, replacing the traditional groups with a destiny one lost in a single league table method that featured some 36 teams. Each club was set to face only eight opponents, creating much uncertainty and fresh challenges. The top eight advanced directly to the Round of 16, while those ranked 9th to 24th contested playoff rounds. This change was to enhance shareability so fans could have a high-profile game with much diversity throughout the season.
Defending Champions and Pre-Tournament Favourites
For the 2024–25 season, Real Madrid entered as defending champions of the UEFA Champions League, having secured a record-extending 15th title in the 2023–24 final. With Luka Modric, Mbappe, Vinicius and other strong teammates, they were favourites to contest again for the title. But they failed to defend the title after losing to Arsenal.
Other Favourites of the Campaign:
- Manchester City, after winning the title in 2022-23, Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden all wanted to bring it home again, but they failed to deliver this time.
- The German giants Bayern Munich are a perennial powerhouse with an extensive squad, but they feel short against Inter Milan.
- Ligue 1 winners, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), are mixing seasoned stars like Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi with emerging talents such as Désiré Doué, who guided them to their maiden UCL title.
- Arsenal and Inter Milan grabbed the headlines for their exciting lineups and had done well domestically and in Europe.
The New Format: Exciting Group Stage Drama
The Swiss format made sure the group phase was competitive, and no team could afford to relax. Some of the biggest upsets included Sporting CP 4–1 City and AC Milan beating Real Madrid.
Fan interaction climbed higher since every match counted. The wins from Celtic against RB Leipzig, the steady rise for Arsenal, and the consistency for Inter Milan all carved a gripping path leading to the knockout stage.
UCL Knockout Rounds: The Road to Glory
| Stage | Matchup | Aggregate Score |
| Round of 16 | PSG vs. Liverpool | 4–1 (PSG on penalties) |
| Inter Milan vs. Feyenoord | 4–1 | |
| Arsenal vs. PSV Eindhoven | 9–3 | |
| Real Madrid vs. Atlético | 2–1 | |
| Bayern Munich vs. Leverkusen | 5–0 | |
| Quarterfinals | PSG vs. Aston Villa | 5–4 |
| Inter Milan vs. Bayern | 3–1 | |
| Arsenal vs. Real Madrid | 5–1 | |
| Barcelona vs. Dortmund | 5–3 | |
| Semifinals | PSG vs. Arsenal | 3–1 |
| Inter Milan vs. Barcelona | 3–1 | |
| Final | PSG vs. Inter Milan | 5–0 |
Tactical Masterclass: How PSG Dominated Europe
PSG’s success didn’t come from nowhere. They dominated from the start because of Enrique’s tactical framework. Their form of attack was multifaceted for pace and fluidity, with Désiré in the centre conducting the midfield, Dembélé pulling defenders, and Hakimi moving wide open.
PSG’s shape also had disciplined options for defense. Senny Mayulu and Presnel Kimpembe defended like walls, allowing control over the game. Because they could also let go for quick counters.
With this balance, they were able to beat Inter Milan in the final and destroy them severely and create history with a 5-0 win.
Top Performers Note by Note:
- Ousmane Dembélé: Another PSG standout was PSG’s Dembélé, who scored the most goals while being a top contributor with 33 goals and 15 assists to win the tournament.
- Declan Rice: The Englishman brought magic for Arsenal with 2 of the most spectacular free kicks during their UEFA match against Real Madrid, which got Arsenal into the semifinals.
- Erling Haaland: The swashbuckling striker from Manchester City took over the competition with 12 goals, which kept the fans on the sidelines near City, but ended up causing City’s downfall for City.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The PSG star widened the field with his creativity and speed, causing tough defenders to be tackled throughout the entire season.
Shocking Upsets and Key Exists
- The outlier of Manchester City, not reaching the quarterfinals.
- The upset of Real Madrid losing to Arsenal in the quarterfinals to end their quest for a 15th title.
- Fans referred to Sporting CP and Celtic as dark horses, but both had a lot of incredible moments and broke the expected results of the tournament.
Fan and Media Reactions to the Swiss Format and PSG’s Triumph
Fans from across the world were positive about the Swiss format. They felt it added excitement and variety for each matchday and made it a must-see watch. Social media had a debate about fairness, but many fans were willing to accept that and just enjoy the new challenges this format would create. There were a lot of mentions of the unpredictability of the matches.
PSG’s march to the final was a decisive one, and their final win was a jubilant one, especially in France, where it was heralded as a new era of success for French football. The media said that PSG had played a “masterpiece of team football” and “crowned PSG’s youth revolution.”
While 96.com was a go-to site for Champions League gaming and match analysis, providing options such as:
- Match result and outright winner
- Player-based gaming and match analysis (first goalscorer, total goals)
- Live In-Play gaming and match analysis
The new Swiss format opened up the ability and pleasure of strategic gaming and match analysis, with lots of players gaming and match analysis on underdogs like Arsenal and Inter Milan, who cashed on unexpected results.
For other competitions, players should:
- Keep an eye on player form and injuries
- Closely follow team news
- Visit 96 app for gaming and match analysis to take advantage of in-play situations
- Consider a combo of gaming and match-related
Team of the Season: Paris Saint-Germain
PSG were the ultimate tournament team, whether it was crawling through the playoffs to destroying Inter in the final. The consequence of their depth, tactical fluidity, and youth experience undoubtedly paid off.
Stats:
- Most goals: 28
- Clean sheets: 5
- Knockout wins: 6 (including Penalty shootouts)
Top Performer: Ousmane Dembélé
Dembélé played the best football of his career. He was lethal on the wing, created space, scored goals, and turned up in the biggest games.
Stats:
- Goals: 7
- Assists: 6
- Big chances created: 12
- Dribbles completed: 38
SWOT Analysis
Paris Saint-Germain
– Strengths: Elite attack, tactical flexibility, strong leadership
– Weaknesses: Historically vulnerable early in the season against physical teams
– Opportunities: Continued domination of Europe for the next few seasons
– Threats: Large teams targeting their best players
Inter Milan
– Strengths: Composed midfield, organised defensively.
– Weaknesses: not enough pace or power in wide areas
– Opportunities: Use current momentum to maintain UCL’s presence
– Threats: Ageing team and not enough quality on the bench
Barcelona
– Strengths: Young talent, creativity in attack
– Weaknesses: Inconsistent goalkeeping
– Opportunities: Re-establishing a youth pipeline and cohesion in attack
– Threats: Financial issues, high turnover in coaches
Arsenal
– Strengths: Tactical clarity, not too many players over 30, energetic squad, dominant midfield
– Weaknesses: Inexperience in critical moments of matches
– Opportunities: Solidify themselves as UCL contenders
– Threats: Exhaustion of the squad or excessive reliance on their youngsters
Conclusion and What to Expect Next
The UEFA Champions League 2024–25 season reshaped the excitement levels of the competition, and a new chapter of European football was underway. PSG’s momentous victory was a beautiful testament to vision, talent development, and tactical evolution.
With the Swiss format having proven successful, fans and clubs have a lot to look forward to when it comes to innovation and exciting clashes in the future.
Users or players can rely on 96 game to provide them with all the tools and information required to place an educated wager and to enhance their viewing experience.
Will PSG defend their title? And can Arsenal and Inter Milan build on their runs? Or will Manchester City and Real Madrid take their place back at the top?
Time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the Champions League is still the place for football drama and glory.
References:
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/027b-16f051ba0be2-481a9dc34f63-1000/
https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/702410/real-madrid-borussia-dortmund
https://www.techradar.com/live/news/champions-league-final-live
