“We don’t miss Messi or CR7, it will be the Champions League of Mbappé and Haaland”: the European analysis of the new kings of the world | DT SURVEY

Forty-eight goals in the first 16 games was the balance of part of the first date of the Champions League 2023-2024 season – which began with expected and little expected results such as AC Milan’s goalless draw against Newcastle in Italy or BAyern’s tight 4-3 victory against Manchester United, in a match full of goals.

For its part, Manchester City, current champion – who had complications with Red Star, after winning 3-1, showed resilience and the ability to react to get its first three points.

Today they play

11:45 a.m.

• Salzburg vs. ESPN2 Society
• Berlin vs. ESPN Panty

2:00 p.m.

• PSV vs. Seville ESPN3
• United vs. Galatasaray ESPN4
• Napoli vs. Real ESPN
• Lens vs. Arsenal Star+
• Inter vs. Benfica ESPN2

Given this, El Comercio conducted a survey of prominent foreign journalists to analyze what the Champions League will be like this season.

1. Who is the favorite for this edition of the Champions League?

2. How much will we miss that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not in this new edition of Champions?

Manu Fanizza – ESPN

1. My favorite is Manchester City.

2. It’s normal. Cristiano Ronaldo was no longer there, it is the passage of time. What about Messi is a shame because after the World Cup he really had the level to continue in the elite but he prioritized his life. It’s normal for someone who won everything.

Carlos Gouveia – Ojogo (Portugal)

1. The favorite is Manchester City, of course because they are the champions. But Real Madrid with Bellingham is going to fight for the throne, as always.

2. The Champions League without Messi and CR7 will be different, strange, but a sign of the times. It will be the Champions of other cracks, like Erling Haaland,

Filippe – Gazzeta Dello Sport

1. Favorite is Manchester City again.

2. We don’t miss them, now is the time of Mbappé and Erling Haaland,

José Barroso – L’Equipe

1. It is a somewhat special year with all the trips to Saudi Arabia and that is why there is a point of doubt about this Champions League, but it seems to me that Manchester City with the confidence of last year and everything they have done in recent years . He has the weapons to be a favorite. We know that it is difficult to deal with the title, but it is number one today ahead of Bayern and even ahead of PSG, Real Madrid or Barcelona. I don’t see another team that is at their level

2. Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t been part of the Champions League for a while and Messi for us is a little special because he was in Paris, but he wasn’t the great Messi with PSG or in the last years of Barcelona. For this reason, I think that we were already prepared for their absence and so we are looking for other stars like Kylian Mbappé or Haaland. But this Champions League will be special because after 20 years the two are not competing, but that’s football.

Phillipp Kesler – TZ Germany

1. For me, the current champions are favorites again: In my opinion, Manchester City has the strongest squad. But in the Champions League you always have to keep Real Madrid in mind. Paris Saint-Germain also seems very interesting to me this season, without Neymar or Messi.

2. A lot. Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have shaped the Champions League for years. They had a lot of magic. But I think for fans now it’s exciting to see who will follow in his footsteps. From my point of view, Mbappé is now the best player in Europe. I also like Bellingham at Real Madrid and Musiala at Bayern.

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