As expected, the 2024-25 sports season delivered some of the biggest surprises we had recently. Why was this expected? This is also the first year when UEFA decided to change the format of the Champions League, a structural change that opened the door to more drama and, yes, more upsets. With more matches and more opportunities for teams to play against each other, you would expect underdogs to score some ambitious results.
Well, let’s explore how the new format changed the game and then dive into three standout matches that shook the fans and bettors.
A New Era: New Champions League Phase Format
In 2024, UEFA announced the replacement of the traditional group stage with a single-league format. So far, so good, but what really shook the world was that now, 36 teams would have to play at one large table, each facing eight different opponents. So, plenty of games, each team being forced to play four at home and four away.
Only the top eight teams automatically qualify for the Round of 16. For those ranked 9th to 24th, there will be two-legged playoffs that settle the remaining spots. The 12 teams from the bottom of the leaderboard are eliminated from the Champions League entirely.
How is this new phase format going to change the overall vibe of the League? Well, it creates more varied matchups and fewer predictable outcomes. New teams get to join the big fight; supporters have more matches to watch, and they can see their favorite teams playing against a larger number of European teams. The regular group-stage style is replaced with an open-ended schedule that increases both opportunity and risk.
So, if you are into betting, you should switch your focus from the free spins no deposit offers, and start watching the matches. It is probably the most intense, enjoyable, and challenging Champions League tournament in the last decade. Placing some bets would only elevate the experience to a whole new level.
Match 1: Sporting CP 4-1 Manchester City
You did not see it coming, right? Well, nobody did. On November 5, 2024, the marvelous Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon hosted one of the most spectacular and surprising matches we have seen in a while. Everyone expected Manchester City to win so that we could go on with the championship, hoping to see them crowned as champions. However, with 73% possession, Manchester City managed to lose, scoring only one goal against four from Sporting.
Despite an early goal from Phil Foden, Sporting roared back with a hat-trick from Viktor Gyökeres and another strike from Maximiliano Araújo. This marked City’s third straight Champions League defeat, something that an English supporter would see as improbable.
Why it shocked bettors:
- Nobody anticipated Sporting to play with such aggressive intensity.
- Gyökeres’ breakout performance flew under the radar of most pre-match analytics.
Match 2: Real Madrid 1-3 Ac Milan
Do we even have to talk about why everyone is shocked to see the king shaking? Real Madrid has the most Champions League titles in history. They won the first season’s final in 1955-56, but they also ended victorious the last season in 2023-24. However, some of you out there felt something like this was about to happen. AC Milan also has 7 Champions League titles, securing the second place with the most won titles, historically speaking.
The same November 5, 2024, brought us a Milan team that walked into the Bernabeu with no fear and left with a commanding 3-1 victory for everyone to remember. Malick Thiaw opened the scoring with a powerful header, followed by goals from Álvaro Morata and Tijjani Reijnders.
Even if this was their first win against a title holder, Milan increased their chances of making the last 16 by a lot while Real Madridchances of defending their title dropped to not more than 5%, analysts say.
Why it shocked bettors:
- Real Madrid has an average of 2.14 scored goals per match in La Liga.
- Milan improved its tactics and proved itself more effective in attacks; something analysts may not have considered.
Match 3: Celtic 3-1 RB Leipzig
To end the night in style, Celtic had to take advantage of the new League format and show that they deserve their name to be spoken of. On Celtic Park, Glasgow, Celtic managed to obtain its first Champion League win after 10 straight lost appearances.
RB Leipzig took the lead through Christoph Baumgartner, but Celtic flipped the script, which perfectly translates to the aftermath statistics. With 60% possession, 17 shots, and 5 shots on target, Celtic took advantage of their home stadium premises and won against Leipzig’s aggressive pressing style that usually overwhelms opponents.
Why it shocked bettors:
- It’s been years since Celtic managed to obtain a decent result, which has been since 2012.
- RB Leipzig never lost more than 3 consecutive games in the Champions League since 2021.
Final Thoughts
Football is changing fast and when underrated underdogs like Milan, Sporting and Celtic—teams that have a lot of potential, make strategical and tactical shifts, they can even destroy the legacy of heavyweights like City and Real Madrid. It may be the new league format or the level of required adaptability. But one thing is certain: more unexpected events are about to happen.
