Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester City, Manchester City and Celtic have had differing fortunes in this season’s Champions League campaign so far.
The Champions League trophy
It’s been an interesting Champions league campaign so far – not the least because big teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have found their places usurped by the likes of Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur. In Scotland, of course, it’s been all about Celtic.
So, how have British teams fared so far in the competition?
Leicester City
Leicester City’s Wes Morgan and Leicester City’s Christian Fuchs celebrate
Without a doubt, the team most neutrals will be keeping an eye on this year will be Leicester City, who make their first appearance in the Champions League in the club’s history. Following an outstanding Premier League campaign, the Champions found themselves in the UEFA Champions League drawn against Portuguese giants FC Porto, Danish titans FC Copenhagen, and Belgium’s Club Brugge. After strengthening over the summer, by bringing in forward Islam Slimani and winger Ahmed Musa, hopes were high that, once again, Leicester could achieve the seemingly impossible.
Leicester City’s Islam Slimani scores their first goal
Unbeaten in Europe so far, recording two wins over Club Brugge, a win over Porto and a win and draw with Copenhagen, Leicester sit firmly at the top of their group table, qualifying comfortably for the round of 16.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
Arsenal
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Having struggled in this competition in the past, Arsenal have had a reasonably successful start to their Champions League campaign. Sitting second in their table, level on points with PSG, Arsenal could still possibly finish top if they can pick up a positive result against FC Basel in their final game.
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil scores their third goal
Their most notable highlight of the campaign so far was the thrashing of Ludogorets, which saw Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil score not only a hat-trick, but one of the most sensational Champions League goals in the history of the competition. Latching onto a long ball forward, Ozil managed to round three Ludogorets players, including the keeper, before nestling the ball into the net to secure an impressive 6-0 victory.
Manchester City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Qualifying for the last 16 in a slightly less-comfortable fashion, Manchester City have made it thanks to a somewhat unconvincing 1-1 draw with German side Borussia Monchengladbach. After appointing former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, Pep Guardiola, as their new manager, Manchester City fans were understandably excited at the prospect of this year finally being their year to succeed in Europe’s top competition.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their second goal
From a 4-0 thrashing of Monchengladbach and a historic 3-1 victory over FC Barcelona, to a 4-0 defeat to Pep’s former side and a 3-3 draw with Celtic – Manchester City’s Champions League performances have been somewhat of a mixed-bag so far, and they will be looking for more consistency now as they had into the final 16 of the competition.
Celtic
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
After a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona on Wednesday night, Celtic have unfortunately found themselves exiting the Champions League at the group stage – but Celtic will be proud of their performances in the competition. Their 3-3 draw with Manchester City showed that, under new manager Brendan Rodgers, Celtic can compete at the top level, and goals from new signing Moussa Dembele have made for an exciting battle in what was, ultimately, a group that was perhaps too strong for them from the get go.
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele
There’s no doubt Celtic will be back playing Champions League football again next season. The club needs to be qualifying for the Group stages every year, and can only hope for slightly easier competition next season. Celtic will, however, have gained good experience from their exploits in this season’s Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur
Monaco’s Joao Moutinho in action with Tottenham’s Moussa Sissoko
Following defeat to Monaco this week, Tottenham Hotspur have become the only English team not to qualify for the round of 16. After a string of uninspiring performances in the competition, Pochettino’s side have found their energetic Premier League performances hard to replicate at a European level, which has left Tottenham fans feeling disappointed.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino during training
Qualifying for the competition for the first time since Spurs were managed by Harry Redknapp, many Spurs fans felt that, under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, this would be the year for the London club to make their mark on Europe. Two defeats to French club Monaco, however, and a draw with German side Bayer Leverkusen, have seen the Argentine’s side fail to qualify. Facing a tough task to qualify for the Champions League again this season, when considering the strength of the Premier League this year, Tottenham fans might look back on this campaign with added disappointment come the end of the season.
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy
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